On paper, Proudly South African probably seemed like a good idea. In practice, it’s turned out rather differently.
Moroka told the Mail & Guardian Online back in 2005 that the campaign had “already moved from the initial focus of generating awareness into a second phase, which is a more customer-demand-driven and sector-based approach. The key focus is to use the Proudly SA brand to unlock business value and opportunities for members.”
The organisation is funded by companies paying 0,1% of their annual turnover, with a minimum of R570 and a maximum of R500 000.
But this week it was announced that Proudly South African had been disowned by its sponsor, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and is now struggling to survive on funding alone. It also needs an office, which is what the chief executive, Manana Moroka, asked MPs on Wednesday.
“For six or seven years we have been reporting directly to the department, but we were recently informed that we are not part of them. We are lost now and would like Cabinet to allocate us to another department,” Moroka told Parliament.
However, if one visited Proudly South African’s
Israeli tanks crossed into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday near a key crossing point where about 150 Palestinians have been trapped while trying to flee from the territory since Hamas Islamists took it over.
2. The true cost of Mugabe’s land grab
Disruptions to livelihoods caused by President Robert Mugabe’s controversial land-reform programme hastened the deaths of thousands of Zimbabweans and led to the loss of billions of dollars’ worth of property, a new report says.
3. It’s size that counts
Do men love younger women? Well, do ducks take to water? There are many reasons why old sods like me find ourselves shamelessly looking at pretty young things and wishing age was on our side. Sometimes, as Mandla Mthembu has proved, with a bit of money we can turn the hands of time.
4. World’s oldest man apologises for still being alive
A 111-year-old Japanese engineer born at the end of the century before last was awarded official recognition on Monday as the world’s newest oldest man, and joked he was sorry for still being alive.
5. Influx of Africans finds mixed fortunes in US
They range from surgeons and scholars to illiterate refugees from some of the world’s worst hellholes — a dizzyingly varied stream of African immigrants to the United States. More than one million strong and growing, they are enlivening American cities and altering how the nation confronts its racial identity.
6. Minister: Mbeki rejects salary recommendations
President Thabo Mbeki has rejected the Moseneke commission’s recommendations that government leaders’ salaries be increased by huge percentages, Public Service Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said on Wednesday.
7. Allegations of coup plot in Zimbabwe
A group of soldiers was in custody in Zimbabwe on charges of plotting to oust President Robert Mugabe and replace him with a Cabinet minister, a newspaper report claimed on Friday.
8. Lisbon: Mugabe not welcome at summit
Portugal’s Foreign Minister Luis Amado said on Monday Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe would not be welcome at a European Union-African Union summit being held in November in Lisbon.
9. Wages: State may go it alone
With 700 000 public servants on strike for the second week and the strike toll mounting, the government is considering the unilateral implementation of its pay offer.
10. Gadaffi, Mugabe discuss federal govt for Africa
Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi and visiting Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe want African leaders to agree next month to unite Africa under one government to help it solve its own problems, state media said on Thursday.