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.

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Talk about Plonkonomics. The Lowvelder in Nelspruit is carrying a funny little story on the  fact that the town’s watering holes are unaffected by the recessions. Financial troubles and the fact that people would rather cut down on anything but socialising is driving them to drink, it seems. Unfortunately, the reporter didn’t get any quotes out of these social beings, possibly because she had one too many cleansing ales pressed into her hands. My guess is not too many chilled Chardonnays are quaffed in Big Five land. Good for Nelspruit!

Lowvelders don’t whine about wine

…an investigation by Lowvelder revealed that social venues, in particular restaurants and pubs, seem to be experiencing good business in general. Most interviewees admitted that they would much rather cut down on anything else, than on their social lives, despite the economic crunch.
Local clinical psychologist Ms Ronél Nel is not at all surprised by this finding. According to her, research has proved the clear link between increased stress levels and high alcohol use time and time again. Nel says tough economic times would thus rather increase than decrease alcohol use in the community.

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