Gold reef casino, Langebaan (Mykonos)

Cape Town - Empowerment giant Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) and gaming group Gold Reef Resorts got tongues wagging at the weekend by issuing cautionary notices on Friday evening.

While the cautionaries were issued separately (two minutes apart, to be precise) the fact that HCI already holds a 23% stake in Gold Reef led to immediate speculation that the empowerment company was set to pitch for a bigger stake, or outright control of the gaming group.

HCI last year bumped up its stake in Gold Reef by buying out certain of the company's empowerment shareholders.

HCI, however, was not the only major new shareholder to emerge at Gold Reef in 2009. In May last year one of Gold Reef's main shareholders, Casinos Austria International Holding GmbH, sold its 20.6% shareholding in the gaming group to "a leading South African fund manager". The fund manager was largely believed to be Allan Gray.

In 2008 Gold Reef was also subject of an aborted private equity bid, which lapsed as the global financial crisis gripped the markets.

HCI's main gaming focus lies in Tsogo Sun, which holds the Montecasino and SunCoast casinos as its flagship properties.

Gold Reef's main casinos is at Gold Reef City, but the company owns an array of smaller venues.

HCI has not made any official statement on its intentions at Gold Reef. But market talk has suggested HCI would want to take effective control of Golf Reef, perhaps by looking to initially bump its stake up to 34.9% by buying out other smaller shareholder groupings (including other BEE players).

In October last year HCI chairperson Johnny Copelyn told shareholders at an AGM that the situation at GRR was "a space worth watching".

A gaming sector analyst said the timing of the deal - if the cautionaries pointed to a transaction - was very interesting.

"The casino market is tough and Gold Reef, we know, has been battling in smaller venues like Mykonos."

He said a deal would either mean HCI was seeing enormous value in Gold Reef at current levels or that the empowerment giant was expecting the casino segment to start turning soon.

Perhaps more intriguing is the prospect of HCI taking full control of Gold Reef.

That would give HCI arguably the broadest spread of casino interests of any company is SA. Aside from the Montecasino and SunCoast venues, Tsogo - which is half-owned by SABMiller - also owns Hemingways in East London, the Ridge in Witbank, the Caledon Casino and Century Casino in Newcastle (KZN).

Gold Reef - aside from its flagship Gold Reef City casino - owns casinos in Pietermaritzburg (the Golden Horse), Langebaan (Mykonos), the Garden Route, Welkom, Muldersdrift (the Silverstar casino) and Queenstown.

- Fin24.com

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Shark Bay Development Langebaan

As many of you might know, the owner of Shark Bay has been trying to get approval for a development at Shark Bay for some years now.

There is a new Draft Environmental Impact Report available for comment.

The Draft will be available from 29 January at at the Public Library on the corner of Oostewal and Bree street in Langebaan as well as the Municipal offices in Bree street.

An Open House Meeting will be held on Friday 12 Feb from 15h00 till 20h00 at the Langebaan Auditorium which is located at the Library.

Click here to download the complete notification

You can register as an interested and effected part by sending your name, contact details and email address to lindsay@dougjeff.co.za – Click here to download the complete notification

source via email and on www.bokkom.co.za

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4 SF Regiment at Langebaan will probably receive boats.

South Africa' secretive Special Forces has acquired an undisclosed number of new boats in two classes to support its activities.
The website of the state arms acquisition agency, Armscor, shows the Special Forces in November placed an order worth R9 934 700 with the Parachute Industries of SA (PISA) for an unknown number of semi-rigid 7.53m Zodiac boats as part of an “ medium range air deliverable boat system.” The contract was placed on November 26. It follows an order, on October 8, for a number of same-sized inflatable boats, worth R333 740.

The boats will likely be delivered to the seaward-orientated 4 SF Regiment at Langebaan in the Western Cape.

Source http://www.defenceweb.co.za

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Canned fish production at the St Helena Bay

FRANCOIS Kuttel, the former boss of Irvin & Johnson, appears to have chosen a good time to jump ship to rival fishing group Oceana.

Indeed, Kuttel’s first few months at the helm of Oceana – he was appointed CEO in July last year – could not have been better.

Oceana recently reported that revenue for the year to end September 2009 was up 10% R3.3 billion while operating profit shot up 29% to R411 million.

The star turn for Oceana was the inshore fishing division, which turned an encouraging profit of R948 million (previous year: R700 million) from turnover of R2.1 billion.

Trading margins in the inshore division – no doubt to Kuttel’s delight – improved from 37% to over 45%.

The 2009 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for pilchard was 90 000 tons (2008: 90 776 tons). Kuttel reports that the size and quality of fish landed was good, resulting in improved canning yields.

He says canned fish production at the St Helena Bay cannery was better than the previous year.

The Namibian pilchard TAC was pegged at 15 000 tons. But Kuttel says production at the Etosha Fishing cannery was lower due to a re-alignment of quota-holders who provide fish to the company.

Kuttel says sales of canned pilchards locally – undertaken mainly under the Lucky Star brand - increased in volume terms. But he notes insufficient product is available to fully meet demand, which means additional supplies were imported to help meet market demand.

Kuttel says anchovy catches were not good, and that by the end of the season Oceana had landed less than half the quota available.

Fish meal production volumes were also lower but Kuttel says higher selling prices on the local and export markets saw improved profitability.

Oceana landed its full quota of west coast lobster (348 tons) thanks mainly to improved catch rates at the end of the season.

Kuttel points out that export prices of lobster were lower in foreign currency terms, which – coupled with the stronger rand - resulted in lower turnover and lower profits.

As regards the midwater and deep sea fishing activities, Kuttel says catches for SA and Namibian horse mackerel were “very good with excellent catch rates per trip and an improved mix of larger fish”.

Namibian volumes were significantly up on the previous year after a third midwater trawler was put to work in August.

Unfortunately for this division the higher turnover from Oceana’s own vessels was offset by a large decline in the trading of fish purchased from foreign fleets operating in Mauritania and the Pacific. This restricted the turnover gain to just 8%.

Kuttel, however, reports that operating profit was “significantly better” due to the improved fishing performance, higher prices and improved margins.

Looking ahead Kuttel believes Oceana is well placed to take advantage of an improvement in global economic conditions.

He stresses fishing conditions in the southern African region remain reasonably stable and the group has opportunities for further organic growth.

CBN cannot help but notice that Oceana’s cash pile is still sitting around R150 million, and wonders whether Kuttel will follow through on his predecessor Andrew Marshall’s suggestion that the company could be ready to make selected acquisitions.

Tough trading conditions are probably putting the squeeze on fishing enterprises that perhaps don’t have the diversity of Oceana. Any distressed companies will probably be glad to settle under Oceana’s solid bow.

Source http://wap.cbn.co.za

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South Africa Slalom Nationals Langebaan

Ben Van Der Steen NED 57 / South Africa Slalom Nationals

Monday, January 25, 2010

By admin

The race director set up a 6 leg downwind slalom course, each leg about 1.5km, starting and finishing at our two favourite islands… The start line was set just before Skaap Eiland in front of Langebaan main beach, the finish in the bay in front of Friday Island. The fastest guys finished the course in about 8mins, with close battles all the way to the finish. A total of 21 riders entered for the last days action, which, despite the long course, still resulted in fierce battles on the start line and on the gybe marks (with one-or-two crashes along the way).

The untouchable Benny van der Steen was “lit like a firecracker” on his new JP/Neil Pryde gear. Most people learnt this hard way and left the likes of Hennie to contemplate the meaning of life when they realised they weren’t the fastest in a straight line any more. The only man to topple the other pro racer, Tom Malina, was RSA-1 Pete Lumley on his new Starboard 101, but only in the last race… nice work any way!! James Moore made a massive comeback after a bout of the flu on the first day, but had continued trips to the bathroom between races… for sure the toughest cookie out there! Other great performances came from young Daniel Domancie on his new North quiver… great to hear he’s finally on comfortable gear as further seen by his excellent starts. I think he learnt a lot about his setup this weekend and in a few more years/months for sure he’ll be battling for the lead.

With the poor wind forecast for today the prize giving was held last night. Ben van der Steen, Tom Malina and local boy Pete Lumley took the top 3 spots in Slalom. No wave result left us without a wave podium. So in terms of the WSA Tour this makes James Moore the 09/10 National Slalom Champ and Eugene van Niekerk the National Wave Champ. Those results will follow a little later, but there’s still a speed contest to complete, so the Overall National title is still up for grabs.

A special thanks must go to all our sponsors: The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, BulkSMS, Long Ocean, Ballistic Eyewear, Kenings Car Hire, Kargo National and Oxbow Surfwear.

…as well as all the volunteers: Di Hutton-Squire, Vince Domancie, Daniel Domancie, Rob Beamish, Ivan Newmark, Piet Streicher and Mark Derman.

our awesome photographs (and photographer) Liz Metclfe/Cape Sessions which are being uploaded to the gallery

and of course our spectacular hosts, Friday Island, who have welcomed us with all our gear and mess… a great venue.

source: http://www.windsurfingafrica.org/

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Wind farm at St Helena Bay on the West Coast

Green energy gaining power

The search for alternatives to traditional power sources is gaining currency in SA, writes Steven van Hemert

Jan 25, 2010 11:42 PM | By Steven van Hemert

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The Western Cape government is leading the country in exploring alternative sources for power generation. After the region was identified as being highly susceptible to the negative effects of climate change an action plan to mitigate these effects was launched.

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THE ANSWER, MY FRIEND: Wind turbines at Eskom's experimental facility at Klipheuwel in the Western Cape Picture: WARRENSKI

Key to the strategy is minimising the carbon foot-print of the province, with a plan to produce 1172MW of new renewable energy capacity by 2014, mainly from wind.

Eskom's grand plan for generating extra capacity currently focuses on two new coal-powered plants in the north of the country, at a substantial cost to consumers and the environment. While the National Energy Regulator of SA deliberates over how exactly to fund these new base-load developments, independent power producers (IPPs) are gearing up to provide a cleaner and more environmentally and economically friendly alternative.

Nersa's Renewable Energy Feed-In Programme (Refit), announced late last year, offers generous tariffs for green IPPs to feed power into the national grid. The tariffs have pleased potential investors and environmental campaigners. IPPs can now sign power purchase agreements for a period of 20 years, with wind power producers receiving an initial sum of R1.25 per kilowatt hour. Power will be purchased by the Renewable Energy Purchasing Agency, which falls under the authority of Eskom.

Investors such as the Mainstream Genesis Eco-Energy joint venture have said they would aim to add about 500MW of capacity by 2014, with wind farms located in Jeffreys Bay, Colesberg and on the West Coast. There is also scope for IPPs to sell renewable energy directly to independent entities.

One project likely to benefit from Refit is the proposed wind farm at St Helena Bay on the West Coast. A joint initiative between the Western Cape department of environmental affairs, Oxfam UK, the Saldanha municipality and the Seeland Development Trust, the wind farm will be built on 926ha of land owned by about 200 members of the local community.

Power will be sold directly to the municipality, with revenues being used to fund community projects.

News from http://www.timeslive.co.za

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Langebaan Resolution Downwind Dash 2010

Registered participants for the annual Resolution Downwind Dash have been glued to weather forecasts in the hope for a promising change to the predicted fluky south westerly. The windsurfing Nationals commenced on the 21st January at 17:00 in a light breeze off the Cape Sports Centre in the Langebaan Lagoon, and the high of 17kts at 17:00 today will mean they will get in some sailing later this afternoon.

The status of the forecasts for Langebaan for Saturday 23rd is as such;

14:00 12kts

17:00 14kts

20:00 11kts

Given the size of the expected fleet of 400 participants and their varying range of skill level, the race director, safety crew, professional sailors, the sponsors and local schools have discussed the forecast and decided to postpone the race to the holdover weekend, as advertised for the 5/6th Feb 2010. The Resolution Downwind Dash is both a professional and a family event, and the organisers as well as the sponsors, want to see all the participants cruise in to Saldanha after the 20km course, and not struggle with light, and maybe non-existent wind, especially in the Saldanha area.

The pre-registration party at Lagoon Sports as well as the prize giving and after party, will be postponed along with the race.

Note that the some process of notification will be followed based on the wind forecast for the weekend of the 5/6th February 2010.

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Port of Saldanha railing a million tons of ore.

Transnet Freight Rail has announced that it has broken its record by railing a million tons of iron in its ore line ranging from the Northern Cape to the Port of Saldanha in one week. The milestone was achieved by setting a new weekly (21 to 27 December 2009) throughput record of 1,002,800 tons. A cheerful Tau Morwe, Acting Chief Executive of Transnet Freight Rail, said these positive results were a consequence of meticulous planning, teamwork, excellent communication between Transnet and the Mines, and lots of hard work. “We will continue to put much effort into increasing installed capacity in our rail system to pave the way for sustainable growth. This is a significant milestone as it was achieved at a time when everyone is supposed to be on holiday”. Transnet Freight Rail transports iron ore from mines in the Northern Cape to the port of Saldanha Bay. This operation has continued to break new ground in positioning the company as a leader in the South African economy. Transnet Freight Rail Communication.

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MOSQUITO NATIONALS 2010 in SALDANHA BAY

STOP PRESS

MOSQUITO NATIONALS 2010 SALDANHA BAY

24 APRIL 2010 TO 27 APRIL 2010

TOGETHER WITH

HOBBIE 16 NATIONALS

AND

WESTERN CAPE DINGHY CHAMPS

NOTE

EASTER WEEKEND WAS NOT AVAILABLE

SAMCA SOLO CHALLENGE ALL CLASSES

VENUE

VOGELVLEI YACHT

Go to http://www.sailing.org.za for more information

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For all your stationery & printing needs.

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New school opens in Vredenburg

13 January 2010

“We are prepared and equipped to start the new school year,” said Western Cape MEC for Education Donald Grant on Wednesday

"More than 940 000 learners streamed to Western Cape schools today for the start of the 2010 school year. Schools in the province are well prepared for the start of term, thanks to careful planning which culminated in November 2009,” MEC Grant continued.

Grant said that public representatives and senior education officials were among those who visited schools this morning to check on preparations and to learn more about problems facing schools on the first day. They included members of the provincial standing committee on education and the legislature, representatives of the Department of Basic Education and top management of the Western Cape Education Department.

MEC Donald Grant visited seven of the city’s schools to assess school readiness and to wish learners and educators well for the 2010 academic year. These included Vanguard Primary School in Athlone, ID Mkhize Senior Secondary in Gugulethu, Sithembele Matiso in New Cross Roads, Groenvlei Secondary in Lansdowne, Groote Schuur Primary and Secondary schools in Rondebosch and Cape Town High School in the city bowl.

Across the province, district officials of the Western Cape Education Department focused on monitoring, providing assistance at schools where there were late registrations and any other last minute tasks. However, the department found that the overwhelming majority of schools were well prepared for the start of the 2010 school year.

“I believe that our planning campaign played a major role in today’s successful start to the new school year,” said Grant.

“The Western Cape Education Department monitored school readiness at the end of 2009, using a comprehensive checklist which included infrastructure, safety and security, learning and teaching materials, curriculum and assessment, learner admissions, personnel management and timetabling, among others.”

Grant said that late registration continues to be an issue, despite an extensive early enrolment campaign in hot-spot areas during the second and third terms of 2009.

“Western Cape Education Department officials have identified 15 schools in five areas experiencing pressure from late registration. The areas are Mbekweni (Paarl), Mossel Bay, Grabouw, Khayelitsha and Langa. Most of the affected schools serve rapidly growing communities in informal settlements. Officials are working with schools to find places for the children concerned and to finalise registrations. They are also helping schools to finalise timetables and to resolve staffing, administrative and security issues, where necessary.”

Grant said that if any other problems arise, the department would respond on case by case basis.

The Western Cape Education Department opened three news schools today, namely; Avian Park Primary, Worcester, Witteklip Primary, Vredenburg, and Gansbaai Secondary School in Gansbaai.

“The Western Cape Education Department will open Bardale Secondary in Emfuleni in the second quarter. In the interim, the Western Cape Education Department will arrange transport for affected learners to available accommodation at Mzamomtsha Primary in Drift Sands until mobile classrooms are in place at Bardale,” said Grant.

“Bardale will cater for at least 400 learners identified late last year. However, this number has probably increased because a new community has settled around the site of the school during the December holiday. The Western Cape Education Department will use all available space effectively as possible to accommodate additional learners, in addition to building new schools and extending existing ones.”

The department has installed 27 new mobile classrooms at various schools to accommodate growth. Other infrastructure issues include vandalised schools.

“While we welcome the continued decline in the number of schools vandalised during school holidays, repairs due to vandalism are an unnecessary drain on limited resources,” said Grant.

The department has “growth” posts available to provide additional teachers where necessary. Schools can apply for growth posts via the internet. The Western Cape Education Department will obtain a clearer picture of learner numbers when schools complete the department’s 2010 snap survey. They must do so by 26 January using the Western Cape Education Department’s online central education management information system (CEMIS).

Meanwhile, suppliers delivered 100 percent of teaching and learning materials ordered by the Western Cape Education Department for 405 non-section 21 schools by the start of the school year. Section 21 schools, those who have the capacity to manage their own finances, according to the South African Schools Act, procure their own supplies.

“The Western Cape Education Department is satisfied that they have done so successfully,” said Grant.

Suppliers have also delivered 99 percent of text books ordered by the Western Cape Education Department for a grade 11 text book project. Every grade 11 learner will receive five textbooks to assist them in preparing for their National Senior Certificate examinations in 2011. The remaining one percent will be delivered when translators have completed translating certain textbooks.

“Time on task will be a key focus of the Western Cape Education Department in 2010. The department has written to principals and teachers, to outline key priorities, and to assure them that the department will do everything possible to assist them in maximising teaching and learning time. We have also written to parents, reminding them what they can do to assist schools in providing quality education,” said Grant.

“However, our main focus must be on delivering quality education, starting with literacy and numeracy in the foundation phase.”

Media enquiries:
Bronagh Casey
Cell: 072 724 1422
Tel: 021 467 2377

Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
13 January 2010
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)

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THE RESOLUTION DOWNWIND DASH LANGEBAAN

THE RESOLUTION DOWNWIND DASH MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: Cape Town, 15th January, 2010 The world’s biggest kitesurfing and windsurfing race Africa is home to some of the world’s finest sailing and wind sports accolades. From the annual speed kiting event held in Luderitz, Namibia, which crowned world champions and declared the kite the fastest sailing vessel, to the first stop-over of the grueling Volvo Ocean Race. Home-grown athletes like Sjoukje Bredenkamp grace the world circuits with their presence and bring home outright speed records as they brave the howling winds around the globe. For the past 24 years, the worlds fastest have gathered in Africa for ultimate racing adventure – the mission from main beach Langebaan to Dial Rock Saldanha (more than 20km course). Originally a windsurfing race, the Dash has attracted a mix of local and foreign wind lovers on kites and Hobie cats all in pursuit of the challenge of dicing tankers, large swells, squalling wind and hundreds of competitors. 2010 is a special year for the Dash, as it’s the 25th anniversary of the event, originated by the Saldanha Beach sailing Club. Title sponsor Resolution is sponsoring the event for the second year now, and they continue to recognises the lifestyle of the adrenalin seeking adventurers. Resolution is proud to be associated with the heritage and caliber of the Dash. Visit www.resomed.co.za or www.resolution-sa.co.za for more information. Winning the dash is about the achievement. It’s the sense of satisfaction and the honour of having your plaque on the legendary wheel trophy, alongside some of the world’s finest sailors. Matt Swart is a well known local hero who has won the event five times. The dash favours the local sailor, and offers a great challenge to anyone up for the adventure of exploring the Langebaan lagoon. There are a host of brands and sponsors who are working closely together with the Saldanha Beach Sailing Club to continue to grow the event over the coming years. Red Bull has continued their involvement with prize money, energy centre at the finish of the race, jet ski’s and mobile PA and entertainer “stretch”. An addition to the prize line up is Bulksms, who have generously sponsored a new purse of R5000 for the first lady and man to complete the race on windsurfing wave-sailing equipment. The event will be held on the first day of sufficient wind on either the 23/24 January 2010 or the holdover weekend 6/7 February 2010. A preliminary notice of confirmation of the race will be sent out on the 21st January at 12:00 with final confirmation on the 22nd January depending on wind forecasts. A pre-registration gathering will be hosted by Lagoon Sports on Langebaan main beach on Friday the 22nd. If you pre-register online, you can collect your goodie bag and competition vest here. If you have not yet entered you will be able to register here from 17:00 to 20:00. Malcolm Mc Gregor, the founder and race director, will be available for a question and answer session from 20:00. Any queries regarding the start sequence, false starts, rider communications etc can be raised here. Cabrinha and Liquid Force will be present at the gathering, and all those who attend will stand the chance of winning great prizes in a lucky draw. There will be a spit braai and refreshments available. Late registration and collection of competition vests will take place at the usual location on main beach from 11:00am on the morning of the race. Please note that given the limited entries available it is advisable to secure your spot in the race online prior to race day on www.gustmagaine.com. Last year the event hosted 320 entries and we are expecting 400 sailors in 2010. To date we have over 100 paid and confirmed participants. The first possible start will be at 14:00. Note that the wind requirement is a minimum of 12kts and a maximum of 30kts for safety and rescue purposes. The annual prize giving happens at the Club Mykonos taverna, where riders and their family are invited to enjoy a fish braai and live entertainment from Nungarin and top DJ, Dino Moran. If you have not yet arranged transport and accommodation, please make enquiries through GUST magazine. Click herefor a live interview with Aaron Hadlow, 5 x Kiteboarding World Champion who will be attending the event. Released by: Janet Lightbody GUST magazine (021) 794 4425 082 469 6303 jl@gustmagazine.com News sponsored by West Coast Office National Dont Lose your board or Kite in the Dash get a boardtag

2010 Downwind Dash Langebaan

Entries still live for the 2010 Resolution Downwind Dash

Co-ordinates of the marker boats

Mark No 1.

33º04’48”S 18º00’45”E

Mark No 2

33º03’54”S 18º02’11”E

Mark 3

End of ore jetty

Mark 4

33º01’30”S 17º58’00”E

Mark 5

33º01’00’S 17º59’09”E

Finish

32º59’55”S 17º57’35”E

Entry forms available here.

Note that entries are limited to 400 participants only!

Where Langebaan When 2010/01/23 03:00 pm to 03:30 pm Expect total carnage! Soak up the sun, drink beer and munch West Coast seafood while you check out the hundreds of windsurfers and kitesurfers going head to head at high speed across Langebaan Lagoon. So grab your bags and get to the seaside village of Langebaan which is only about an hours drive north of Cape Town. The crystal clear lagoon offers awesome flat water conditions for kiters and windsurfers as well as all water sports enthusiasts. Who will be the first to reach Saldanha Sailing Club in 2010? Watch big name entries amongst kite and windsurfers vie for position in the 25th Downwind Dash. Many don’t make the 17km challenge but it’s a fun day for all, including beach bums ogling the tricks. Be sure to stick around for prize giving and a fish braai at the Beach Bar at Club Mykonos on Saturday evening. Need to know? Be a part of the worlds' biggest windsurfiing vs kitesurfing event. Entries are now live so check out the Gust site for the latest info. Grab whatever rig you have (wave/freeride/slalom) and off you go!

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