Five things you need to know about SA today

1. News 24 says SA’s banks have quietly reintroduced  100% home loans for the cheaper side of the residential property market. Read the story here.

2. And if you’re a lager lout but are into soccer, there’s a cheap wine targetting you in honour of 2010 under the Bafana Bafana brand. The wine comes from Northern Cape producers Oranjerivier Wine Cellars and Afriwines and will go for between R25  and R35. I can’t decide if this marketing genius or from the Far Side. Click here to read the story at The Times.

3. The sardines are making their way up the coast and are soon to hit East London so, East Coast folk, pack your binoculars in the cubby hole and keep an eye out for whales and dolphins. Read this interesting story about killer whales frolicking (with a dolphin carcass) off East London at the Daily Dispatch. Cool pic too!

4. IOL’s Babynet has a fun story about kids bonding more with TV characters like Bob the Builder than their own parents.  My child’s favourite show is Louis, the amazing artistic rabbit who draws things, so I guess that’s OK.  Read the story here.

5.  And on serious matters, Business Day reports that the Judicial Service Commission says it will start its hearing of the dispute between Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and the judges of the Constitutional Court from scratch after  deciding not to appeal against a high court order.  Read it here. You won’t be able to escape your fate forever, Mr Judge President.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Five things you need to know about SA today

1. Now here’s a Twitter sensation. News24 has a story about astronaut Mike Massimino, who is part of a team who blasted off this week to service the Hubble telescope. He Tweeting away (search for Astro_Mike on on Twitter.com) and by the time of writing he already had 224 632  followers. Stephen Fry (at 487 710 followers today), eat your heart out! Read the full story here. It’s a pity Fry’s not on the space mission, taking pics of his dinners and being witty.

2. The M&G has a very interesting story about Brett Kebble’s art auction last week. It seems there are now questions about whether Vladimir Tretchikoff painted more than one version of his famous Lost Orchid which netted R2.9-million at the auction. Oopsie! They picked up the story from Beeld, who ran it on Tuesday. Read the M&G story here.

"Lost Orchid" by Tretchikoff

3. Cape Judge President John Hlophe is back in court today, says The Times, as he seeks an interdcit in the High Court against the Judicial Services commission hearing into his allegedly trying to influence judges on the now dropped case against President Jacob Zuma. Read the full story here.

4. Human Settlements Minister and businessman Tokyo Sexwale is taking legal advice about potential conflicts of interest between his business concerns and his appointment to the cabinet, says Business Day. Sexwale is executive chairman of Mvelaphanda Group that has investments in construction and property. Read the full story here.

5. And The Times has a run down on the new faces in Zuma’s cabinet. There are quite a few of newbies — some may say lightweights for big jobs — but then there’s no training school for ministers. Read the story here.

Popularity: 4% [?]