Archive for August, 2010

South African entrepreneurs are about to get a boost thanks to the collaborative efforts of Nedbank Small Business Services and etv.

"Fix My Biz" is a new, 13-part, business-focused reality television series that documents the challenges facing a number of small businesses; and through the expert knowledge of consultants provides entrepreneurs with practical advice to address their challenges.

According to Nedbank Small Business Services executive Sibongiseni Ngundze, the bank's involvement in the series forms part of its ongoing commitment to the development of South African enterprises, in particular small-sized businesses.

"Nedbank has long recognised that entrepreneurship is the foundation for future financial prosperity and a key source of job creation, and for these reasons SMEs have a key role to play in the sustainable development of our country's economy," he said in a statement this week.

"Fix My Biz represents an innovative way for Nedbank Small Business Services to contribute to the growth and success of this vital South African business sector."

Real businesses, real challenges

The fact that Fix My Biz portrays real businesses that are experiencing real challenges faced by the majority of small businesses makes the series so unique and valuable.

"By getting to the heart of these businesses and offering practical advice and guidance on how to address the issues they are facing, Nedbank Small Business Services is effectively extending the services of experienced business consultants to all South African business owners, which should prove invaluable to any aspirant, new or experienced business owners and entrepreneurs," Ngundze said.

The first season, which will showcase 13 businesses, will follow the development of each business as the team of business consultants advises them on issues ranging from marketing, branding and production optimisation to effective fleet control, workplace ergonomics and financial management techniques.

The show will be aired weekly on etv at 5.30pm commencing Wednesday, 15 September, with a repeat on Saturdays at 1.30pm.

"While each episode of Fix My Biz focuses on the challenges of an individual business, the practical advice will be of immense value to any other South African small enterprise as the tools provided via the show will equip entrepreneurs not only to overcome their own immediate business challenges, but also to position themselves for sustainable success and long-term profitability," explained Ngundze.

Online portal

Over and above this tv series, Nedbank Small Business Services will be launching an online portal giving small business owners and aspirant entrepreneurs a credible platform from which to network and obtain valuable information pertinent to their sector.

SAinfo reporter

New markets, trends in small business - and opportunities in unexpected places.

A long night of negotiation between trade union leaders and Public Service Minister Richard Baloyi, under instruction from President Jacob Zuma, has produced a draft settlement offer that could bring an end to South Africa's near two-week long public service strike.

The draft settlement offer includes a 7.5 percent salary incease and a R800 monthly housing allowance. Public service unions have demanded an 8.6 percent increase and a R1 000 housing allowance.

While the unions have asked for time to consult with their members on the offer, the government has called on them to speed up the process.

A follow-up meeting of the Public Service Coordinating and Bargaining Council (PSCBC) for consideration of the offer will be held on Wednesday, after which Baloyi will address the media.

The minister and unions returned to the negotiating table on Monday after President Zuma instructed them to find a solution that would bring the strike to an end as matter of urgency.

According to News 24, Zizi Kodwa, the President's spokeperson, said Zuma had told his ministers that he could not allow the strike go on, adding that he was particularly concerned about its impact on health and education in the country.

"The President's view is that the strike must end as soon as possible, in the next couple of days," Kodwa said. "He appealed to both sides to put the interests of the country first. That would mean give and take from both sides in negotiations."

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said in a statement on Monday that the government was "committed to finding a solution that is acceptable to all the parties".

Maseko said the government "shares the public's concern about the strike and the negative impact that it has had on delivery of such services as schooling and medical care.

"Government assures the public that everything will be done to find a solution to the dispute, and will work together with public service unions to find an amicable solution to the impasse."

Source: BuaNews

Chris Bathembu

With a housing backlog of over two million and more than 12 million people in dire need of houses, the government is embarking on radical changes that could turn the tide of housing delivery in the country.

According to data from the Department of Human Settlements, some 2.7 million houses have been built in South Africa over the last 14 years.

Housing Development Agency

Government officials acknowledge that the post 1994, South Africa marked the beginning of an unprecedented demand for houses as more people moved to urban areas in search of new economic opportunities that were being created by the new democratic order.

The demand became so high that the then Department of Housing was forced to look outside itself for solutions to meet its deadline for delivery when it announced the establishment of a Housing Development Agency last year.

Since its inception, the agency has facilitated the acquisition of land for housing developments across the country, allowing for more than 240 000 new houses to be handed over to new owners between 2008 and 2009.

Spending on housing delivery had also increased from R4.8-billion in 2004/05 to R10.9-billion in the last financial year, increasing at an average rate of 23%.

Authorities, however, admit that there have been challenges: "It's a challenge and it's going to take us time, but we will get there, it's going to take one step at a time," says Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale.

He is adamant the new national housing policy could turn the tide in the delivery of houses, an issue that has become central to service delivery protests throughout the country.

People's Housing Process

One of the strategies listed in the policy, the People's Housing Process (PHP), will see the establishment of a new funding mechanism that will allow for more community-driven projects in the delivery of what is now being termed "human settlements".

The government has also realised that the concept of just building houses without proper monitoring and maintenance has resulted in unscrupulous contractors costing the state more than R1-billion to rebuild badly constructed houses.

Sexwale says the growing demand for shelter and the mushrooming of informal settlements in most urban areas has necessitated a new approach to the housing challenge, one which will minimise corruption in the delivery of adequate houses.

"We don't just build houses anymore, that thing is not working, we are building human settlements people must have clinics, police stations and the places where children can play and we are involving communities in that," he said during the launch of the first PHP-model housing development in Plettenberg Bay recently.

The model has also been introduced in Gauteng where 907 units were handed over to residents of DoornKop, Soweto two weeks ago. Once completed, it is expected to create more than 24 000 housing opportunities for people who qualify for subsidised housing and those who earn between R3 500 and R7 500 monthly.

The development also forms part of the southern extension of the township.

Focus on partnerships

The PHP policy further proposes an alignment of the existing housing delivery programmes but with a focus on partnerships amongst non-governmental organisations and community groupings. The process involves beneficiaries actively participating in decision making over the housing process and housing product.

"Beneficiaries are empowered individually and collectively so that the community ultimately takes control of the housing process themselves. This includes identifying the land, planning the settlement, getting approvals and resources to begin the development," says the policy document.

The basic entry requirement for the programme is that individuals need to be part of an already organised community group or must have indicated they want to participate in a community driven housing project.

Building voucher system

Richard Dyantyi, special advisor to Sexwale, says plans are underway to introduce a voucher system from which organised communities would be given vouchers to access building material and short courses to enable them to start their own housing projects.

"These are the proposals that we need to debate and take to the people because a lot is involved with human settlement, you need parks, you need clinics so it's very important that we empower these communities so they can deliver human settlements that will be sustainable," he said.

Challenges, concerns

But the PHP has not been without challenges; one of the concerns raised during a conference to debate the policy had been the amount of time it takes for municipalities to release land for PHP projects, something believed to be causing delays for some community projects.

The PHP's policy framework and guidelines were at one stage also met with much resistance from some quarters as they were said to be too narrow in their focus and apparently did not redefine the policy in a way that community-driven initiatives could be included.

The department had, however since agreed to review the guidelines. Provinces are required to manage their demand databases more effectively to prevent confusion on waiting lists that has led to conflicts in many parts of the country.

"PHP encourages government supporting those communities who want to work with government to build human settlements in terms of a demand led approach this must be viewed and managed constructively so that is not seen as a means of queue jumping," reads the policy document.

Dyantyi says if implemented correctly, the policy could benefit millions of people in need of houses and could be the answer to the country's housing delivery challenges.

"What we are saying therefore, everyone needs to own this and it must be left squarely in the hands of government," he concluded.

Source: BuaNews

Government, business & civil society initiatives to improve South Africans' lives.

Joburg is the City of Gold, Cape Town the Mother City, PE the Friendly City ...

Get up 15 minutes early. Start a conversation with someone new. Go for a walk during lunchtime ... as part of its "Legacy" campaign, Brand SA has called on South Africans this Friday to "fly the flag for our ability to see things differently, to see challenges where others see obstacles, and no matter what, to make a plan."

Brand South Africa's Legacy campaign aims to leverage the momentum of the 2010 Fifa World Cup by providing platforms for South Africans to keep achieving and showcasing their "South Africanness" to the world, while entrenching the principles of pride, patriotism and solid citizenship that have been established over the past year.

• SA Legacy campaign explained

On five days over the next two months, "South Africans will celebrate all the things that make us who we are," Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola told journalists at the launch of the campaign in Johannesburg last week.

Each day has a different theme, this Friday's being a call to Do Things Differently, for example:

• Instead of sending an e-mail, pick up the phone.
• Call an old friend.
• Celebrate those who have made a difference in your community, and join them.
• Put a suggestion box up where people can share their ideas on how to do things differently.
• Do Things Differently – poster

The 2010 Fifa World Cup™ "marked a massive change in the way we see ourselves and the way the world sees us," Brand South Africa said in a statement.

"This Friday, do something differently, and acknowledge how each of us made the world see our country in a new light."

SAinfo reporter

• SA Legacy campaign: programme

SA is becoming known for smart thinking. Find out how we're pushing thinking further out of the box.

The South African government has responded to President Jacob Zuma's directive to hold urgent talks with union leaders to bring an end to the country's near two-week long public service strike.

Following a meeting between Zuma and his ministers at the weekend, the government said on Monday that Public Service Minister Richard Baloyi had been consulting with union leaders with a view to finding a settlement.

According to News 24, Zizi Kodwa, the President's spokeperson, had told his ministers that he could not allow the strike go on, adding that he was particularly concerned about its impact on health and education in the country.

"The President's view is that the strike must end as soon as possible, in the next couple of days," Kodwa said. "He appealed to both sides to put the interests of the country first. That would mean give and take from both sides in negotiations."

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said in a statement on Monday that the government was "committed to finding a solution that is acceptable to all the parties. Such a solution will be tabled at the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) for approval.

"Government will make every possible endeavour to ensure that a settlement is reached as early as [Monday] evening so that all public servants can return to work. We remain optimistic that a solution will indeed be found sooner."

Maseko said the government "shares the public's concern about the strike and the negative impact that it has had on delivery of such services as schooling and medical care.

"Government assures the public that everything will be done to find a solution to the dispute, and will work together with public service unions to find an amicable solution to the impasse."

Source: BuaNews

Government, business & civil society initiatives to improve South Africans' lives.

Apart from pushing for increased cooperation in economic and social development, Serbia has announced that it will back South Africa's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2011/12 term.

This emerged following talks between International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Pretoria on Monday, during which the two ministers identified priority areas for cooperation between the tow countries.

"South Africa can fully count on Serbia ... we can't wait for you [South Africa] to be back in the Security Council," Jeremic told a media briefing in Pretoria after the talks on Monday.

South Africa has been canvassing for votes for its UN Security Council seat bid, with India and a number of African countries supporting it.

Elections for the Council will be held during the 65th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in October. If elected, South Africa will serve a second term as a non-permanent member of the council.

Social, economic development

Meanwhile, bilateral relations between South Africa and Serbia are set to advance, with both countries agreeing to cooperate further in areas of economic, commercial, education and crime fighting among others.

The two countries also have eight pending agreements in various fields, including an agreement that will deal with combating translational crimes.

Nkoana-Mashabane said Serbia was an important partner that could help the government meet its key priorities, including the creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods, education, health, rural development, food security and land reform and the fight against crime and corruption.

She said the two countries could learn a lot from one another because of political turbulence that both countries had suffered.

"Serbia is a very important ally of the of SA on the international stage, particularly with issues of reforms and UN ... We have also noted that South Africa has not taken full advantage of these strong bilateral relations and ties," she said.

Expanding bilateral cooperation

Nkoana-Mashabane was also upbeat about the advancement of their bilateral relations. She said a high-level delegation from both countries would meet to look at the opportunities that the countries' economies can offer.

Jeremic, who is on his second visit to the country – having attended President Jacob Zuma's inauguration last year – reaffirmed the need to strengthen their existing relations and further expand cooperation between the two countries.

Jeremic said there would be more high-level engagements in the near future.

South Africa and Serbia share similar values on many international issues and have supported each other's candidatures for non-permanent seats at the UNSC and on the Human Rights Council.

Besides its EU ambitions, Serbia is using all available diplomatic and legal means to continue to fight to preserve its territorial integrity over Kosovo.

Source: BuaNews

News on South Africa's foreign relations.

South African petrochemical giant Sasol and Malaysia oil company Petronas have announced the joint assignment of a 15% participating interest in the M-10 Block, offshore Mozambique to Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), Mozambique's national hydrocarbon exploration company.

This results in an equity split in the M-10 Block of a 42.5% participating interest to each of Sasol, through its Sasol Petroleum International (SPI) subsidiary, and Petronas with the remaining 15% to be held by ENH.

SPI also assigned a 15% participating interest in the Sofala Block, offshore Mozambique to ENH, with SPI owning the whole of the remaining stake.

Responsible, representative developments

ENH assumes the aforementioned assignments in the Sofala and M-10 Blocks in their capacity as representative entity of the Mozambique Government.

Sasol remains operator of both the Sofala and M-10 Blocks.

"It is an important milestone for SPI to have ENH as part of the exploration activities in the Sofala and M-10 Blocks," said Sasol Petroleum International MD Ebbie Haan in a statement this week.

He pointed out that the deal was proof of Sasol's long-term commitment to responsible and representative development of Mozambique's valuable natural resources.

"The two blocks form an integral part of SPI's growth strategy in our Mozambican heartland and the assignments to ENH substantially strengthen the relationship Sasol has with the Government and the people of Mozambique," Haan said.

Oil and gas exploration

Sasol Petroleum International develops and manages Sasol's upstream interests in oil and gas exploration and production in a number of countries. SPI also pursues gas exploration opportunities to enable it to supply feedstock to potential Sasol gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants.

SAinfo reporter

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

South Africa is not only an important emerging economy in its own right - it is also a key gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.

Spanish singing star Enrique Iglesias brings his show Enrique Live to South Africa on 9 September to kick off the second edition of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament.

The Champions League Twenty20 is an international short-format cricket competition between club teams from India, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies. Matches will be played in Durban, Johannesburg, Centurion outside Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth.

Iglesias will perform at the opening of the tournament at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 10 September, as well as in a special concert, Enrique Live, at Joburg's Emmarentia Botanical Gardens the day before

This will be the star's third visit to the country; he previously hosted two sold-out tours to South Africa in 2004 and 2007.

Airtel Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) chairman Shashank Manohar said Iglesias's concert would be a major boost for the tournament.

"Enrique is a big hit with South African fans and there is no doubt he will light up the Bull Ring on 10 September," Manohar said. "It is going to be spectacular."

Manohar said the Twenty20 has brought out cricket's fun side, and that entertainment was part and parcel of the stadium experience. He said the CLT20 was going to be a 23-day joyride of top-class twenty20 over cricket complemented with great family entertainment.

In an interview, Iglesias said that he was proud to come to South Africa.

"The support of the fans is heart-warming, and I look forward to performing in September. South Africa is a special place, and after Spain's World Cup win, it holds even more significance for me," he said.

The 35-year-old Spanish pop music singer and songwriter, who has sold over 55 million albums worldwide in both English and Spanish and is well known for the hit "Hero", started his musical career on a Mexican recording label called Fonovisa.

He became one of the most popular artists in Latin America and in the Latino market in the United States, and the biggest seller of Spanish language music albums for a number of years.

Before the turn of the millennium, he made a crossover into the mainstream English language market, signing a unique multi-album deal with Universal Music for an approximate extraordinary R350-billion with Universal Music Latino to release his Spanish albums and Interscope to release English albums.

In 2010, he parted with Interscope and signed with another Universal Music Group label, Universal Republic.

Tickets for the Enrique Live concert on 9 September 2010 at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens are available from Computicket from R330. These tickets can be purchased online via computicket or by calling +27 (0)83 915 8000.

Tickets for the Airtel CLT20 are being priced from R30, and are also available via computicket, or via telephone on +27 (0)83 915 8000.

Fans can also purchase tickets directly from the host venues.

SAinfo reporter and City of Johannesburg

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

The Springboks finally delivered a victory in the 2010 Tri-Nations competition, and a win for Victor Matfield in his 100th test, when they scored a come-from-behind 44-31 win over Australia in Pretoria on Saturday.

With the win, Matfield became the first Springbok to celebrate his 100th test with a victory. Previously, Percy Montgomery and John Smit came up short in their 100th internationals.

While the Springboks won, they did it the hard way, coming back from 14-0 and 21-7 down.

'We had time to get back in the game'

"It was really complicated to start like that, with them scoring two quick tries, but rather early in the game than in the last two minutes. We had time to get back into the game and stuck to our guns," said captain John Smit afterwards.

"The beginning was not part of the plan. It took us some time to find our feet.

"We still have to eliminate a number of little errors. We will not win the World Cup playing test rugby like this."

Coach Peter de Villiers commented: "You will never play a perfect game. Last week we were a lot more intense, while this week we were more composed.

"We were afraid to make mistakes against the All Blacks in Soweto and it showed in our play. That was not the case [at Loftus] and I think we gained from that."

Rest needed

De Villiers also admitted the some of his players might need a rest, possibly by missing the end of the year tour to Europe, when he said: "Guys like John Smit, Victor Matfield and Bryan (Habana) have exceeded the maximum game time they should have played this season. They have forgotten what it is like to feel good."

It wasn't a good game for Habana who was directly responsible for one of Australia's soft tries and partially to blame for another.

For Francois Hougaard, on the other hand, it was an excellent day. He was named man of the match and were it not for the fact that the injured Fourie du Preez, rated the world's best scrumhalf, will one day return for the Boks, Hougaard would have secured his starting spot in the number-nine jersey for some time to come.

Matfield reflected on his 100th test and agreed with captain John Smit by saying that it was a blessing in disguise that the Springboks conceded tries so early in the match, rather than late.

Experience

"Luckily we have quite a few experienced guys in the team and things started happening for us," he said.

The Wallabies had their chances to score more points, but a combination of poor finishing and gritty South African defence kept them to only three points in the second half. They had led 28-24 at the break.

The match started at a torrid pace with an incredible five tries being scored in the first quarter-of-an-hour.

After only two minutes it looked as if the Wallabies had crossed the Springbok tryline through Drew Mitchell, but the television match official ruled in favour of the home side, believing that Mitchell had come up just short of the line.

First try

A minute later they did cross for a five-pointer. After the Boks had been penalised for an early engagement at a scrum, the Wallabies took a quick tap and moved the ball to the left. After a couple of rucks from which they extracted quick ball Will Genia sliced between two defenders, wriggled out of an attempted tackle by Matfield, and went over to the right of the posts.

Matt Giteau slotted the easy conversion to put Australia 7-0 ahead.

A minute later the Australians crossed the South African tryline again after a superb inside break by Kurtley Beale. He unloaded to Rocky Elsom, but the Aussie captain was brought down just five metres from the line.

The ball was, however, recycled very quickly and fed to James O'Connor who dashed through next to the ruck to score. Giteau's successful conversion made it 14-0 and stunned the Loftus Versfeld crowd who had come to see their own Victor Matfield, captain of the home town Bulls, hopefully win his 100th test in style.

Perfect angle

In the ninth minute the Springboks hit back with a try by Juan Smith, who since his return to the national side against the All Blacks has made a very good impression. He ran a perfect line, cutting in from the right and taking a pass back inside from scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, to knife through the Australian defence and score underneath the uprights.

Morne Steyn added the extras to make it 14-7.

Straight from the kick off, the Wallabies replied with James O'Connor crossing for his second try. Bryan Habana dropped the ball and O'Connor gathered, shrugged out of a tackle and raced down the right-hand touchline to go over in the corner.

Giteau was on target again and Australia once again led by 14 points at 21-7.

Bulldozed

With 14 minutes played the Springboks were awarded a penalty within kicking distance, but captain Smit told flyhalf Morne Steyn to kick for touch. He set up a lineout, which the Boks safely won. Prop Gurthro Steenkamp burst away from it with the ball and bulldozed his way through a number of tacklers to crash over for South Africa's second try.

Steyn converted to make it Australia 21, South Africa 14.

Midway through the half the Springboks were awarded another penalty, about 59 metres out, straight in front of the Wallabies' posts. It looked like the kind of long-range kick situation for Francois Steyn to take a shot at goal, but Morne Steyn took responsibility for the kick. He had the distance with some ease and his kick was accurate, pulling South Africa to within four points of Australia at 21-17 down.

Bonus point

Five minutes later the Wallabies had a bonus point for scoring four tries. Bryan Habana, on cover defence near the South African tryline, was caught in possession of the ball. There were plenty of Wallabies bearing down on him, but not much South African support. Francois Steyn tried to help at the ruck, but was penalised for going off his feet.

With numbers in hand, Kurtley Beale took a quick tap and fed Dean Mumm who had an easy run in for the try. Another Giteau conversion made it 28-17 to the visitors.

It was tough keeping up with Australia's tremendous points' scoring tempo, but once more the Springboks found a reply. It came on the half-hour and it was set up by scrumhalf Hougaard. He made a sharp break inside the Wallabies' 22-metre area and just before he was tackled offloaded to Pierre Spies, who was supporting him on his right shoulder.

Spies scores

The big eighthman ran through for the try and Morne Steyn converted to made it 28-24 in Australia's favour.

Incredibly, in the context of the game, there was no scoring in the last 10 minutes of the half.

After the restart the Springboks put the Wallabies under some early pressure and after five minutes were rewarded with a penalty when Saia Faingaa put in a high tackle on Hougaard.

Morne Steyn was on target with his kick and it was just a one-point game at Australia 28, South Africa 27.

In front

South Africa finally hit the front after 50 minutes. Francois Steyn was on hand to round off a flowing movement in the right hand corner and his namesake, Morne, as accurate as ever, split the uprights with his kick from the touchline.

South Africa continued to pressure Australia and came close to going over for a try, but the Wallabies stole possession and counter-attacked, making their way deep into Springbok territory. They looked certain to score through Adam Ashley-Cooper, but Hougaard made a try-saving tackle and knocked the ball out of the outside centre's grasp.

With 12 minutes to go the Springboks extended their lead to six points after Francois Steyn landed a 60-metre penalty.

Crucial stolen lineout

The Australians were quickly back on the attack when they were awarded a penalty and Quade Cooper found touch close to the South African tryline, but Matfield snuffed out the danger by stealing the lineout throw-in.

Australia kept pushing hard, but rugged and effective Bok defence kept them out.

Then, with time up almost up, the home side delivered a sucker punch. They turned over a ball in midfield and, after good work by Matfield and Jean de Villiers, JP Pietersen was given an opportunity to score on the right wing. He stepped inside a covering tackle and went over for the five-pointer.

Butch James, on as a replacement for Morne Steyn, kicked the conversion to put the seal on a 44-31 victory.

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Game lodges

There's no better way to experience the African bush than to spend some time in one of our award-winning private game lodges.

Lucille Davie

The 12 decades of Johannesburg's existence are reflected in the 12 rooms making up a new boutique hotel at Main Street Life, one of Joburg's newest places to be seen, and the brainchild of the same developer who brought the successful Arts on Main to the inner city.

The 1960s was the decade the miniskirt hit the world; a man stepped on the moon; Sharpeville happened and Nelson Mandela was jailed. In Joburg, smoking in cinemas was banned, while bikinis were forbidden at swimming pools. And the Carlton Centre was opened.

That spectacular building is the theme of one of the 12 specially decorated rooms in the 12 Decades Art Hotel at Main Street Life in Johannesburg's CBD. The room is referred to as 50 Storeys, and was put together by clothing designer Colleen Alborough.

One of Joburg's newest places to be seen, Main Street Life opened in February this year. It offers Joburgers a new way to spend their hard-earned cash. Malva, the concept store on the ground floor of the seven-storey residential building, buzzes with customers stopping in for a sandwich and coffee, or to see a play, or just to chill and buy an item from its selection of designer gear and decor.

To complete the picture, Main Street Life offers The Bioscope, an independent art house cinema.

Twelve designers and artists were asked to each design a room of the hotel, taking a theme from the 12 decades that Johannesburg has been in existence, since 1886.

So you can stay in the Sir Abe Bailey room, done by Prospero and Anna Bailey; or the Main Street Constellations room, by artist Kim Lieberman; or the A Part Love A Part Hate room, by fashion label Love Jozi; or Minehaus by decor design company Dokter and Misses; or the Catwalk Customs room, by designers Black Coffee; or The House That Jack Built by artist Kim Stern.

The hotel opened in mid-July, and bookings are growing steadily, says general manager Henning Booysen. Rates range from R650 a night for the smaller rooms, to R950 for the premium room, Perpetual Liberty, by architect Enrico Daffonchio.

Work is ongoing on the roof of the hotel, which eventually will have a splash pool, a boxing gym, two viewing decks, a bar and a telescope. There will be a restaurant on the ground floor of the building.

Jonathan Liebmann is the developer of Main Street Life, a follow-up to his successful Arts on Main several blocks down the road.

Arts on Main

Liebmann bought the five warehouses – now a collection of interleading buildings between Fox, Main and Berea streets in the eastern CBD that make up Arts on Main – in late 2008. By mid-2009 several galleries had moved in, and it has become the hip venue to exhibit work.

Tenants include Bailey's African History Archives, the Goodman Gallery, the David Krut Gallery, the Seippel Gallery, the Goethe-Institut, the Nirox Foundation, a literature project called Right on the Rim, an architect's firm and an advertising company. The anchor tenant is renowned artist William Kentridge.

Arts on Main is pulled together around a restaurant, Canteen, which opens on to a courtyard filled with olive and lemon trees. In June, Liebmann received a Johannesburg Development Agency Halala award in the category Relaxing and Playing Joburg.

Several new hotels have opened in Johannesburg's inner city in the past few years. This month, the Reef Hotels Gold opened on the corner of Harrison and Anderson streets, with 120 standard and deluxe rooms. It is a converted 1970s office building, and plays on the theme of the city's gold history.

In 2007, the 100-room Mapungubwe Hotel opened on the western edge of the CBD. Shortly afterwards, the Ashanti Hotel opened across the road, with 78 rooms. Around the same time, Isibaya House opened, with 103 stylish apartments.

Source: City of Johannesburg

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