Archive for July, 2010

South African juniors won gold, silver and bronze medals on the opening day of the UCI BMX World Championships in Pietermaritzburg, with nine-year-old Johannesburg schoolgirl Georgina Grassie being crowned world champion.

Grassie was all smiles and danced cheekily on the podium after holding off concerted charges from New Zealand girls Jesse Smith and Mikayla Bearman in the 9 Girls main final to scoop the world number one title.

Durban racer Axel Webster picked up a silver medal in the 11 Boys main final, while a third South African, Nicole von Munster, finished third in the 10 Girls final.

New Zealand dominance

New Zealand racers were dominant in the junior challenge classes, winning gold medals in the 13 Girls through Tahlia Hansen, 5-6 Boys through Lachlan Stevens McNabb, and in 7 Boys with Rico Bearman winning the gold.

There were loads of cheers for Zimbabwean riders, who enjoyed neighbourly support from the local crowd as Tyler-Shae Donaldson (5-6 Girls) and Tayne Turnock (9 Boys) scooped world titles.

US riders took home three junior world titles for world number one Julian Dittrick (8 Boys), Michael Gonzalez (11 Boys) and the stand-out junior rider Colin Hudson (13 Boys).

Grassie's gold

Grassie's gold in the 9 Girls final crowned a thrilling start to the World Championships, watched by a big crowd at the Royal Showgrounds.

She took time to warm to the event, finishing third in her first moto. A second in her next moto earned her a place in the final where she found her feet and raced away to an early lead which, even under considerable pressure from the two new Zealanders, she never relinquished.

Australian Jaden Rice posted one of the strongest performances of the day. He shot through on the first berm turn to instantly turn the race into a dice for the silver medal. His compatriot Jake Tunney was just as dominant as he showed his class in the 12 Boys final.

Zimbabwean success

In the first girls' final, Argentinean rider Cingolani Francesca fell heavily on the second straight after coming off the tabletop badly and was stretchered off to receive medical attention. Ahead of her Zimbabwean Tyler-Shae Donaldson pulled off an audacious slice inside the first berm to slingshot into the lead, which she never looked like surrendering on her way to victory.

The girls racing finished with a decisive 1-2 for Japan, as Kanami Tanno capitalised on a start ramp holeshot to win the 10 Girls title, just a minute before Saya Sakakibara added another gold in the 11 Girls decider.

The girls racing ended with a New Zealand double as Tahlia hansen and Abigail Fox claimed the top two spots on the podium early on in the 13 Girls final.

Elite practice

The afternoon session gave the big crowd a first glimpse of the form of the top elite men as they went through their first practice session on the track, and tested the start ramp and the big jump at the end of the second straight that catapults them over the challenger classes' turning berm.

Sifiso Nhlapo gave his fans plenty to cheer about, while Olympic champ Maris Strombergs and Australian rising star Sam Willoughby proved that they are in top form for their showdown on the weekend.

RESULTS

DAY ONE UCI BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

5-7, 8 GIRLS

1. Tyler-Shae Donaldson (Zim)


2. Desree Barnes (Aus)


3. Darcie Taylor (GBR)

9 GIRLS

1. Georgina Grassie (RSA)


2. Jessie Smith (NZL)


3. Mikayla Beraman (NZL)

10 GIRLS

1. Kanami Tanno (Jpn)


2. Laurine Citi (Fra)


3. Nicole van Munster (RSA)

11 GIRLS

1. Saya Sakakibara (Jpn)


2. Dion Bromley (Aus)


3. Shanayah Howell (Aru)

12 GIRLS

1. Axelle Etienne (Fra)


2. Manon Veenstra (Ned)


3. Merel Smulders (Ned)

13 GIRLS

1. Tahlia Hansen (NZL)


2. Abigail Fox (NZL)


3. Annaliese Rokov (Aus)

5-6 BOYS

1. Lachlan Stevens McNabb (NZL)


2. Emilio Durini (Ecu)


3. Ondrej Matejik (Cze)

7 BOYS

1. Rico Bearman (NZL)


2. Amakye Andersen (USA)


3. Luke Rossiter (GBR)

8 BOYS

1. Julian Dittrick (USA)


2. Shafath Moreeano (Ecu)


3. Wyatt Bell (USA)

9 BOYS

1. Tayne Turnock (Zim)


2. Reid Kuller (Aus)


3. Matthew Denslow (Zim)

10 BOYS

1. Jaden Rice (Aus)


2. Baptiste Viellard (Fra)


3. Broc Meter (Zim)

11 BOYS

1. Michael Gonzales (USA)


2. Axel Webster (RSA)


3. Franco Ezeqiuel Soriano (Arg)

12 BOYS

1. Jake Tunney (Aus)


2. Paolo Cortez (Ecu)


3. Giovanni Fini (Arg)

12 BOYS

1. Collin Hudson (USA)


2. Juan Carlos Diaz Serna (Col)


3. Brandon Te Hiko (Aus)

SAinfo reporter

We've got it all - wildlife, exciting cities, year-round sunshine, rainbow cultures and more.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

The South African Revenue Service is modernising the country's customs processes to improve its service for tax-compliant traders while making it easier to identify illegal and illicit trade.

"The programme will improve the service for tax-compliant traders and increase the risks for those who are non-compliant," SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Oupa Magashula told a conference in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Intikhab Shaik, executive of the modernisaton programme, said: "We will be automating technology, putting all data into computers. This will mean more ease and speed of the tax and trade process."

He said Sars aimed to move from a paper-controlling organisation to a risk-management organisation.

"We want to make sure 'the stick' is only used on non-compliant traders. We don't want to be the gatekeepers any more. We aim for customs to only intervene silently and efficiently, and only when necessary."

Releasing human resources

Shaik said the electronification of South Africa's customs process, electronic document delivery and management, would allow Sars to identify illegal and illicit trade more easily.

"Electronification releases human resources from mundane, low-yielding administrative activities and allows more manpower to catch illegal traders.

"If data is in a computer it is more manageable and that information is safer. We will be able to tell exactly where cargo is and at what stage of the customs process it is at."

Sars also announced they would be eradicating some of their more "complicated" forms.

Implementation of electronic systems had already begun, but the first major changes could be expected in October this year.

Sapa

Opportunities, incentives, regulations, assistance.

"You arrived with open minds. And embraced the spirit of Africa ..." South Africa thanks all the teams and fans who visited the country "for helping make the 2010 Fifa World Cup one the world will never forget".

Published on SouthAfrica.info on 30 July 2010.

Source: Brand South Africa

Local financial services group Sanlam has launched iTrade, a new offering that gives South Africa's online traders access to foreign listed instruments on 16 global stock exchanges, allowing investors to easily diversify their portfolios and giving them access to some of the most traded companies globally.

According to Gerhard Lampen, head of Sanlam's online trading platform, Sanlam iTrade now offers one of the most advanced trading platforms available.

"Clients will be able to trade shares, currencies, commodities and exchange-traded funds, among other instruments," he said in a statement this week. "The New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Australian Stock Exchange are among the 16 exchanges now available to equity traders."

'Right time' for offshore investment

Lampen says it is the right time to launch offshore trading to investors, and believes exchange controls on individuals will be abolished in the next 12 months.

"Currently South Africans can invest up to R4-million offshore but there is very little stopping government from lifting these controls on individuals as very few people made use of this allocation," he said.

He believes the JSE's recent launch of single stock futures on foreign equities is a precursor to lifting the controls.

"In view of the strong rand, it is prudent to invest between 20 and 30% of a portfolio in international markets. Investors need to hedge against those things they can't foresee," he said, adding that offering investors access to international companies, currencies and commodities allowed them to diversify their assets.

"The major aim with the new launch is to give our clients exposure to global markets - something most South African investors have not had before," he added.

Advanced trading technology

Lampen said that Sanlam had chosen online Danish investment bank Saxo Bank's platform and access to global markets, because it had highly advanced trading technology and an award-winning platform.

Bolus and Bolus Investments, the introducing broker to Saxo Bank, will offer clients the necessary trading help.

"Bolus and Bolus provides assistance with opening an account, transferring funds to Saxo Bank, training on using the platform and trading the different instruments, as well as a fully staffed help desk," he said.

Free demonstration models

Sanlam iTrade doesn't charge clients for the offshore trading, although Saxo Bank does charge a fee, with costs varying depending on the trading instrument, stock exchange traded on, or live price feeds needed by the client.

Lampen says demonstration models are available free of charge on the Sanlam iTrade website.

In order to trade offshore, clients open a trading account with Saxo Bank through Bolus and Bolus. They then transfer money into the Saxo account - and can start trading immediately. The minimum investment is US$10 000.

SAinfo reporter

Jobs, skills, urban and rural regeneration, government-business partnerships.

Brad Morgan

The Springboks are set to make history in Soweto on 21 August, when they take on the All Blacks in front of the largest crowd in South African rugby since 1955. Despite a poor start to their Tri-Nations campaign, a full house of 88 791 is set to watch the two arch-rivals do battle.

It will be the first rugby test match to be played in Soweto, and the crowd will be smaller only than the estimated 95 000 people that watched the Springboks take on the British Lions 55 years ago.

There are three major reasons for the sell-out in Soweto: the ground-breaking Super 14 semi-finals and final played by the Bulls at the Orlando Stadium, the successful hosting of Fifa World Cup matches at Soccer City, and the long-time success of the world champion Springboks.

The Bulls' decision to take their Super 14 playoff matches to Soweto was well rewarded, with their traditional fan-base linking up with a legion of new fans from the world famous township. Together they produced an enthusiastic, unique atmosphere and the idea was born that maybe playing a test in Soweto would be a viable prospect, and certainly one that could advance the game of rugby.

Obstacles

There were some obstacles to overcome, however. The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU), as the host of the test, had to agree to a change of venue from Coca-Cola Park to Soccer City. To do that, they had to consult their sponsors, suite and season ticket holders, and the rugby clubs of the Golden Lions Rugby Union. The result was a big thumbs-up.

"The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and, as much as we love Coca-Cola Park, there was widespread agreement that we must take such a significant rugby match to one of the best stadiums, not just in South Africa but in the world," said GLRU President Kevin de Klerk.

Thanks to a ticketing model similar to the one that Fifa had employed successfully during the World Cup, the tickets were rapidly snapped up.

Andre Homan, the Commercial Manager of the GLRU, explained: "Within just two days, the first phase of 45 000 tickets sold out. The next phase of 5 000 tickets that went on sale at Computicket outlets in Soweto on Monday, were completely sold out in a few hours.

'Exceeded our wildest expectations'

"The success of these sales has far exceeded our wildest expectations, but we are thrilled that what initially seemed like a risk has turned into an astronomical success."

It's a triumph for rugby, but it will be very important for the Springboks to deliver a good performance in front of an audience that could significantly boost the popularity of rugby in South Africa.

There is also the not insignificant matter that it will be Bok captain John Smit's 100th test match and it comes at a time when he and his team have come under severe criticism for their poor performances in the Tri-Nations thus far.

From the highs of 2009 when South Africa won the Tri-Nations, with five wins from six matches, including three out of three over New Zealand, and also beat the British and Irish Lions, they have fallen a long way and now there is talk that some of the team's long serving stalwarts won't, or don't deserve to, make it to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 in New Zealand. That includes skipper Smit.

Home soil

The Springboks on home soil are usually a tough nut to crack, but three losses without scoring a point in the standings underlines the scale of improvement needed for the Boks to win in Soweto. They lost 12-32 to the All Blacks in Auckland, followed that up with a 17-31 defeat to New Zealand in Wellington, and then fell 13-30 to the Wallabies in Brisbane.

Certainly the Boks have not done themselves any favours by having players sent off early in each of their three losses. Bakkies Botha is serving a nine-week suspension because of a silly head-butt on All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan and Jaque Fourie is out for four weeks for a spear tackle.

Adding to the frustration for South Africa has been the questionable punishment handed to the Springboks, both on and off the field, when compared to that handed to the All Blacks and Wallabies. And, thanks to Botha's head-butt - which was no doubt partially a result of frustration Cowan holding him back off the ball, an offence that went unpunished by the referee – the Boks are again being viewed as dirty bullies, a tag they had managed to shed some time ago.

Many supporters believe there is some kind of conspiracy against South Africa when it comes to suspensions and given the differences in bans that have been handed out over recent seasons one could argue that there is valid reason to believe something is wrong with the citing system.

Winning solves everything

The bottom line, though, is that winning solves everything. The Springboks simply have to avoid putting themselves in positions in which they can be punished. They have to perform basic skills better, and they have to improve their defence, which has traditionally been a strength of South African teams.

And with the Boks now on a three-match losing streak, one can also question the wisdom of not considering young players like Francois Steyn for selection. Sure, he is playing his rugby for Racing Metro in France at present, but one forgets too easily what a fine talent Steyn is.

When Jean de Villiers was injured right at the beginning of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Steyn stepped in impressively at inside centre. Last year, in South Africa's Tri-Nations clinching 32-29 victory in Hamilton he landed three long-range penalties that, arguably, no one else in world rugby would have been capable of landing. It was the difference between victory and defeat.

Apart from the absence of a player with the quality of Steyn, a reason for optimism is the list of players missing through injury, which is always a factor at the top level.

Absentees

Included among the absentees are Fourie du Preez, South Africa's Player of the Year in 2009 and the man regarded by many as the best scrumhalf in the world. Also out of action is Heinrich Brussouw, who made such a huge impact in 2009. The Springboks have struggled to turn over ball during this year's Tri-Nations competition and the presence of someone like Brussouw would surely make a huge difference to their ability to do just that.

So, it's not all doom and gloom for the Springboks, but a victory in Soweto over the All Blacks is important for many more reasons than would normally be the case. And Springbok supporters need to for one moment cast their doubts about John Smit's form aside and consider just how much he deserves a win in his 100th test match.

Titles under John Smit

Smit has twice led South Africa to victory in the Tri-Nations and captained them to World Cup glory in 2007. He is the most capped captain in test rugby history.

The men who play under Smit have lauded his value as a leader, which he has proved time and time again, and thus it would be fitting to honour him with a win over the Springboks' toughest traditional rival in a setting that celebrates South Africa as a rainbow nation.

Experience our rich culture and heritage for yourself.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

South Africa's Nedbank says it has attained carbon neutrality across its 13 head office and regional buildings and more than 490 branches countrywide, making it the first African financial services organisation to achieve effective zero carbon status.

Nedbank CEO Mike Brown said the achievement epitomised the group's commitment to playing a leading role in sustainability through an approach that balanced environmental, social, cultural and economic issues.

"When we first indicated our intention to aim for carbon neutrality, we committed that we would strive to achieve it, as far as possible, by means of behaviour change, reduction targets, as well as operational efficiencies, and we have managed to deliver on that commitment with thanks, in large part, to the commitment of our staff," he said in a statement this month.

Areas targeted for reduction included paper, water, electricity, waste and travel.

Africa's first REDD initiative

Brown explained that the "reduce first and offset only where necessary" approach was born of the bank's determination not to "buy" its carbon neutrality.

"We have used carbon credits to offset our unavoidable emissions, and these were obtained from a sustainable project called Rukinga, which is based in Kenya and delivers both environmental and social benefits," he said.

Rukinga project is Africa's first large-scale Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) initiative.

In addition to restoring the natural environment and ecosystem in Kenya's Kasigau Corridor, the project is bringing substantial financial and social benefits to local communities, particularly through education, job creation, and accessible healthcare.

Credible approach

Brown pointed to the credibility of Nedbank's approach to neutrality as another key enabler of its success, particularly when one considers that carbon neutrality was achieved against a significantly increased scope for bank's 2009 carbon footprint.

The process included adherence to the Carbon Neutral Protocol, WWF-SA guidance in terms of carbon credit process and selection, CCBA accreditation of the carbon credits, and Ernst and Young assurance of carbon emissions data as part of the overall verification of the 2009 Sustainability Report.

Brown said he believed that achieving carbon neutrality in a verifiable and sustainable manner also served as a further endorsement of the bank's current position as a leader in the South African Carbon Disclosure Project.

"As national government's focuses on utilising the opportunities offered by the green economy to address some of the environmental and social challenges faced by our country, Nedbank plans to leverage its carbon neutral status to help them drive the green agenda and deliver value for our stakeholders," he explained.

Brown said they were already working on number of innovative "green" product offerings, as well as enhancing the carbon solutions offered by the Nedbank Capital carbon team, so as to grow the bank's share of both the retail and corporate banking markets going forward.

"We are also able to advise our clients and other stakeholders on the most effective ways to benefit from proposed and current legislative incentives arising from government's commitment to sustainable development," he said.

Ethos of responsibility

Commenting on the achievement, Richard Worthington from WWF-SA applauded Nedbank for taking the lead on environmental change, and its efforts to cultivate an ethos of responsibility within the financial sector and business environment.

The WWF has worked closely with Nedbank over the past five years in driving better practices with regards their environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions.

"What is particularly encouraging is the support from bank's leadership. They are actively behind the intensity reduction targets, which makes a huge difference to the success of Nedbank's green endeavours," said Worthington.

"We look forward to the next five years where we will continue to engage with them in driving ever more innovative practices towards a low carbon economy."

Still work to be done

Brown concluded that while the bank was obviously pleased to have attained their objective of carbon neutrality, they were acutely aware that there was still work to be done.

"We are determined to continue leading the charge, particularly within corporate South Africa, and intend using our influence wherever possible to ensure that businesses in this country become more aware of the vital role they have to play in mitigating climate change through positive action," he said.

SAinfo reporter

Developed first-world infrastructure combines with a vibrant emerging market economy to create huge investment potential.

South African initiatives for "people, planet, prosperity".

Richard Holmes

"Eleven years ago, this was a run-down cattle farm," Michael Daiber tells me as we wander across the quiet courtyard at !Khwa ttu, the bright summer sunshine bouncing off freshly whitewashed walls. From the hilltop, the blue waters of the West Coast sparkle a few kilometres away, while the flat top of Table Mountain is just visible through the distant heat haze.

The scars of farming are still visible in the fields below, but today there's a different crop being sown in this 850ha Western Cape nature reserve, with eco-tourism providing new opportunities for one of South Africa's most marginalised communities.

!Khwa ttu aims to open visitors' eyes to the world of the San Bushmen, one of Africa's oldest peoples. But this is no theme park. The emphasis is on a "tangible journey into history facilitated by the people themselves", celebrating San culture and creating opportunities for the community.

Award-winning partnership

!Khwa ttu has its beginnings in 1998, when the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa partnered with the South African San Institute to create a tourism and training project for San people from across southern Africa.

Then, in 1999, Swiss anthropologist Irene Staehelin joined the initiative, setting up the Ubuntu Foundation and buying the farm that became !Khwa ttu. Today, the project is an award-winning partnership jointly owned by the San people and Ubuntu.

"Eco-tourism and training go hand in hand here," says Daiber, the CEO of !Khwa ttu. "San people come from across southern Africa to study and work here for a nine-month period. But it's not about the certificates and gold lettering. Here it's all about the real-life work experience that will allow them to find good jobs in the tourism industry.

Men like Carlos Korokagho Munawgo.

Munawgo seems like the grandfather of !Khwa ttu. When he speaks, people stop and listen. Originally from Angola, where he saw villages and tribes destroyed by civil war, Munawgo's knowledge of plants and San customs was passed down from older generations, not studied. It's knowledge that's happily being tapped by the centre's young guides.

A case in point is Ivan Vaalbooi, an enthusiastic young guide from the dry Northern Cape. With his training behind him he is now an accredited tour guide who learned many of his skills here at !Khwa ttu: "I've learned from Carlos. Now I have a chance to pass on some of these skills to the other San people who come to train here."

The visitor complex boasts a country-style restaurant and a small gift shop, but the reason tourists drive up the R27 to !Khwa ttu – just under an hour from the centre of Cape Town – are the centre's two interpretive trails.

The Hunting Trail – on foot and tractor-trailer – has long been the main attraction, introducing visitors to the way the San lived, hunted and celebrated.

Indigenous plant knowledge

Then, because they were a people who always lived in balance with nature, the recently opened Gathering Trail highlights the San's incredible plant knowledge.

Over 150 plant species, most only found growing naturally in the dry semi-desert further north, line the easy walking trail, which is loosely divided into five broad areas.

"This wild mint is my favourite," says Vaalbooi, leading us into the first section, which contains plants that can be used as herbal teas to cure a variety of ills. The sandy path wanders down towards plants for "women's health", which was of particular importance to the San during childbirth.

"You can use the stems and the leaves of the Agapanthus plant to ease the pains of childbirth," says Vaalbooi. "But it's very bitter, and only a very small amount is used."

Each section has a number of helpful signboards, with photographs of the plant and explanation of their uses. Two areas cover plants used for "general health", with the likes of the common thorn apple and sour figs easing arthritis and sore throats respectively.

"Only one particular household in the community would know how to use all of these plants," says Vaalbooi. "you were sick, or you had troubles, you would come to this family to ask for help. This knowledge would then be passed down through the family."

A plump little tsama melon gives the game away for the final stop on the short trail. "They say that this is the grandmother of the watermelon," Vaalbooi says. "You can prepare it lots of different ways. You can roast the seeds, or eat it just plain like it is. You can also make a very nice porridge out of it ... it has a very nice sour taste!"

Africa's first people

We leave the tsama melon to ripen in the hot West Coast sun and wander back up towards the restaurant. Before settling into the hearty lunchtime menu, most visitors wander through the photo gallery, which offers a shocking look at how the San have been exploited, examined and dehumanised over the past 400 years.

Failing to recognise the subtlety of their ancient ways, Victorian explorers poked, prodded and procured the "savage" San for display around the world. The 20th century did little better, dragging them into regional conflicts – most notably in Namibia and Angola – and destroying what remained of their traditional way of life.

Today, stripped of their ancestral lands, alcoholism and unemployment threaten to wipe out the first people of Africa altogether. Which makes projects like !Khwa ttu all the more valuable. Combining eco-tourism and training opportunities offers a new path for men like Munawgo and Vaalbooi.

From the restaurant I hear the clatter of cutlery as a restaurant full of happy diners makes the most of !Khwa ttu's Sunday lunch buffet. Wines from local estates flow freely and organic vegetables from the garden make their way into the kitchen as a small army of waitresses bustle between tables.

In the shop, new arrivals browse through the selection of gifts, such as ostrich-egg bracelets, handcrafted by San communities.

Those eggs would once have been used to store water for the dry months, ensuring the community's future survival. Today, it's inquisitive tourists – and projects like !Khwa ttu – that are providing a nest egg for San communities across southern Africa.

Tourist advisory

!Khwa ttu is situated on the R27, some 45 minutes north of Cape Town. Visit www.khwattu.org to find out more, or call +27 22 492 2998.

San-guided tours take place from Tuesdays to Sundays at 10am and 2pm. !Khwa ttu charges R220 (US$30) for adults and R110 ($15) for children, students and pensioners (complimentary drink included in the price). There is also a family special of R450 ($60) for two adults accompanying three children under 12 years.

Khwa ttu also offers a conference facilities and a variety of self-catering accommodation: a family-friendly guest house near the restaurant (sleeps six), a secluded bush house (sleeps four) and a rustic bush camp (sleeps 20 in five canvas tents).

First published by MediaClubSouthAfrica.com – get free high-resolution photos and professional feature articles from Brand South Africa's media service.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

Ideal cool and cloudy conditions await competitors and spectators at the UCI BMX World Championships, which get under way at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, with a large South African contingent eager to satisfy local fans.

The competition features 1 100 riders from 37 countries, racing on a world-first, one-of-a-kind track that features an elite track alongside the cruiser class track. It measures an endurance-testing 385 metres from start to finish.

South African Olympic hero Sifiso Nhlapo has been mobbed by fans since his arrival in Pietermaritzburg. It has been a balancing act for him, trying to fulfil his obligations to his supporters, while at the same time staying focused on his preparations for a shot at the world senior title in the elite racing on Saturday afternoon.

South African entry

Nhlapo, or "Skizo" as he is known to his followers, heads up a South African entry of 300 riders, eager to make an impression on the UCI challenge, Cruiser and World Championship races, win medals, and earn the prized "world number" rankings.

The action starts with two days of competition in the Challenge classes, ranging from the under-13 age groups to master classes, with the elite riders getting their turn to practice on the unique layout later on each afternoon.

The attention turns to the elite riders on Saturday, when the Royal Showgrounds' main arena is sure to become a cauldron of excitement as the best elite riders in the world start working their way through the heats (known as "motos") to the quarter- and semi-finals until the lineup for the finals is decided.

Olympic qualification points

Adding extra pressure to the elite riders is the battle for critical Olympic qualification points that will be awarded at this year's world championships for the first time.

"There's no doubt there will be more pressure on the riders, as this event carries the most points in the whole Olympic qualification process," said the UCI's head of gravity disciplines Johan Lindstrom.

The elite field has been reshaped by a spate of accidents in training. South African pacesetter Dean Holdstock's dreams of making the men's elite final evaporated into the dust of Alrode in Gauteng when he injured vertebrae in a crash at the final leg of the SA champs.

A frustrated Holdstock is on the mend, and will be in the stands to show his support to the South African team taking part in the competition.

New world champion

There will also be a new name on the world championship trophy, following confirmation that American ace Donny "DR" Robinson, who was recovering from a serious injury, has been ruled out of flying to South Africa to defend his title after falling badly in training and re-injuring his lungs and ribs.

That same crash at the US High performance training base at Chula Vista left his USA teammate Kyle Bennett with two fractures in his left collar bone, an AC joint separation on his right shoulder, three fractured ribs, a bruised lung, a broken cheek bone and a laceration to his liver. Not surprisingly, he was rushed to hospital.

The Latvian juggernaut Maris "Bombis" Strombergs has been the global pacesetter in the elite men's division since winning the coveted Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, and has regularly won Supercross and international titles since as he rides the wave of his Olympic fame.

However, the BMX world is talking up the chances of Australian ace Sam Willoughby. Since ruling the world as a junior the speedster from Adelaide has taken the step up to senior elite racing with ease, and the 19-year-old heads into the World Champs with the UCI number-one ranking following a stellar season.

Elite women

In the elite women's field, expect to see the Tricolor flying in the stadium when France's Laëtitia le Corguillé appears at the top of the massive eight-metre-high elite start ramp.

She will be put under pressure by Australian ace Caroline Buchanan, Colombia's Mariana Pajon, US champ Alise Post and top Kiwi racer Sarah Walker, as the increasingly competitive women's classes gradually progress through to the main final.

The junior men's class looks likely to be a highly coimpetitive struggle between the class riders like the Americans Connor Fields and Corben Sharra, and Canada's Tory Nyhaug, while the girls' 2010 world title holder may come from Dutch star Merle Van Benthem or American Brooke Crain.

Weather forecast

The weather forecast for the weekend is excellent, while there is a small chance of drizzle on the opening day.

Spectators at the Royal Showgrounds will be entertained by the music from DJ Uncle R, just back from performing in Ibiza. Entry is R35 per day.

The event will enjoy massive global exposure, as the TV coverage is screened to a record number of global networks, including SuperSport in South Africa plus Eurosport2, ORF Sport+, DSF / Sport1, Sport + France, BSkyB, IEXTV, TV3 Latvia, Proactive TV, Extreme Sports Channel, Universal Sports, ESPN Brasil, ESPN International, Eurosport Asia Pacific, SBS Korea, SBS Australia, Cycling Image Japan, IEC Sports ' Road to London', TN Produccions Spain, SNTV, and Freecaster.tv.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Thursday, 29 July

09:00 UCI BMX World Challenge 13-and-under to main finals

14:30 UCI BMX World Challenge 13-and-under medal ceremony

15:00 Elite Women and junior women practice

16:00 Junior men practice

17:00 Elite men practice

Friday, 30 July

09:00 UCI BMX World Challenge 14-and-over, master classes to main finals

12:00 Autograph signing session

14:00 UCI BMX World Challenge 14-and-over, master classes medal ceremony

14:30 Elite women, junior women practice

15:00 Junior men practice

15:30 Elite men practice

16:00 Junior men, junior women time trials

Saturday, 31 July

09:00 Elite riders warm-up

10:00 Elite men and elite women time trials

12:25 Junior men warm up

13:30 UCI BMX World Championships - junior women, junior men, elite women, elite men motos to main finals

17:10 UCI BMX World Championships - junior women, junior men, elite women, elite men medal ceremony

Sunday, 1 August

09:00 World Challenge Cruiser 12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45+ motos to main Finals

14:30 World Challenge Cruiser 12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45+ medal ceremony

15:00 World Championship Cruiser Junior Women, junior, elite women, elite motos to main Finals

18:00 World Championship Cruiser Junior Women, junior, elite women, elite medal ceremony

18:15 Closing ceremony

SAinfo reporter

Hosting the big events

Our track record for hosting major international sporting events speaks for itself.

The Rainbow Nation

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

Brad Morgan

Professional skateboarder Johann "Puddy" Zwennis will set off on an ambitious fund-raising journey on 31 July, skating from Johannesburg to Cape Town to raise money for SOS Children's Villages through his "Skate for Change" project.

Zwennis, who is well known in skateboarding circles and has represented South African at the Asian X-Games, reckons it will take him three months to cover the trip of 1 800 kilometres.

He explains on www.skateforchange.co.za why he is taking on the challenge.

Life's challenges

"Life can be hard and full of challenges, and it can be very difficult to make the right choices ... but what if you don't have a choice?

"I had everything I could wish for ... like a warm bed to sleep in at night and a delicious plate of food every day. I went to school, not always loving the idea, but I was blessed, I received an education.

"But the question is, what if... What would have happened if I was not protected by my loving parents? Would I be where I am today? ... That is why it is time for me to return the favour.

"We do not choose in what circumstances we are born in, but we can choose to make a difference and give these children a chance in life."

Five provinces, 33 towns

Zwennis will be accompanied by a crew who will follow him all the way to Cape Town in the Stix and Stones van.

He will average from 20 to 25 kilometres a day on a route that will pass through five provinces and 33 towns. He will travel on back roads and stay over in small towns and camping sites.

Anyone interested can follow his journey on his blog, which can be found on the Skate for Change website.

The epic journey starts at the SOS Ennerdale Village, 5 James Street, Ennerdale on Saturday 31 July at 11am.

Everyone is invited to attend a "bring and braai", with boerewors rolls being the order of the day. Fires will be provided, and visitors are asked to bring along one packet of boerewors for themselves and one for the children at the SOS Village.

Donations

The public can make donations in a number of ways:

On the Skate for Change website.

At any Shoprite/Checkers Money Market counter.

By sending as SMS titled "Puddy" to 38 665. A donation of R10 will be made for every SMS.

SOS Children's Villages

The SOS Children's Villages build families for orphaned and abandoned children.

The SOS Children's Villages Association of South Africa is a member of SOS - Kinderdorf International, which is the largest private welfare organisation for children in the world. Over 200 000 children benefit from the a variety of residential, educational and developmental programmes operating in 135 countries.

The Ennerdale Village was the first one established in South Africa, in 1983. Today, it consists of 16 family houses and is home to 158 children. There are also three youth houses, two of them for boys, which are situated outside the Village, and a girls' youth house on the Village premises.

The Village also has a thriving SOS Kindergarten, which offers quality pre-school education to Village children, as well as to children from the surrounding community.

Fundraising events for the SOS Children's Villages will be arranged by a dedicated team in all major cities, including Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Charities & community development

Want to give back to your community? Here are some of the places where you can start.

The Rainbow Nation

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.