Mugaba ... The Zulu name for the South African Mountain Syringa Tree (Kirkia wilmsii). As a source of pure and precious water stored in its roots, this tree served as a giver of life for our pioneers who braved the South African Bushveld on their Voyages of Discovery. Hemmingway timelessly crossed our plains; Selous became known as the Great African Hunter. Mugaba Game Lodge, situated just outside Lydenburg, now offer you the opportunity to quench your thirst for a Great African Safari and brings you unspoilt bushveld in the heart of the Highlands Meander, that provides a lush home to a large variety of game species, rolling hills reminiscent of those colonial African tales and sluggish rivers winding their way beneath brooding cliffs. Enjoy exquisite cuisine served in the privacy and luxury of world-class bush lodges with all amenities at hand.

With eco-tourism and hunting activities renowned for world-class excellence, Mugaba Game Lodge guarantees time well spent in the African Bush. The management adhere to the demands of the client and support all members of the family at different fitness levels. Whether you prefer leisure or adventure, Mugaba Game Lodge is able to offer you the activities to fulfil your African experience such as; Walking Safaris, Quad Bike Safaris, Horseback Safaris, Photo Safaris and Game Viewing Safaris . Enjoy game drives in the evenings to meet the nocturnal species of Mugaba Game Lodge. These may range from Leopard, Brown Hyena, Rhino, Giraffe, Buffalo and the species of Bushbabies, to the more elusive species including Aardvark, Porcupine and other scarce cat species.

Spend some quality time next to the spectacular Spekboom River whilst trying your hand at fly-fishing catching yellow fish or rare bird identification excursions.

Why not experience it all from the air? Mugaba Game Lodge has its own helicopter and experienced pilot for clients who prefer a totally different approach to observing the beauty of Africa. Experienced guides lawfully registered with the Field Guides Association of South Africa and the Department of Tourism conduct all activities. Mugaba Game Lodge opened during January 2004.

Proudly Dullstroom now Offers Hot Air Balloon Flights

An unforgettable experience

All the flights are conducted at sunrise due to the calm and stable air conditions that generally occur at that time. The balloon will be launched from Dunkeld Country Estate situated just outside Dullstroom.

The pilot and crew will meet you at this award winning, superior five star lodge at dawn where you will enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits whilst the balloons are being inflated. This is a great photo opportunity as the giant colourful balloons slowly come to life. Once the balloon is inflated, you will climb aboard and after a short briefing by the pilot, it is up, up and away for a magical, unforgettable one-hour flight over the scenic countryside of the Trout Capital of South Africa. On board you will be served with a sherry to warm you up during the flight. After the landing, your flight will be celebrated with a bottle of chilled bubbly and or orange juice. After the flight it's off to Dunkeld Country Estate again for breakfast and the presentation of a commemorative first flight certificate. The entire adventure lasts approximately three hours.

The cost for the above package is R1 600.00 per person including the flight, sherry, champagne, buffet breakfast and a certificate. Group rates are available on request.

For more information please contact the reception at Dunkeld Country Estate (013) 254-0814 or e-mail Proudly Dullstroom at info@dullstroom.info

Only well-experienced, fully qualified pilots who are in possession of Commercial Pilots Licences are used and the balloon company is certified and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority for passenger flying. Marty de Kock, Managing Director is looking forward to welcome you on board and sharing this wonderful experience with you.

(Dr Jim Harris)

'Government can create an environment for higher rates of investment, but long-term employment depends largely on higher rates of private investment', says the ANC election manifesto. 'Since the 1994 rainbow election', claims the official opposition, 'SA has failed to attract significant foreign investment, which has declined. SA ranks below comparable developing countries when it comes to competitiveness and economic freedom, and it remains defined by inequality.'

The Economist magazine shows SA as having one of the lowest economic growth rates among 25 competing emerging markets. Only Venezuela , Brazil and Mexico are doing worse than our current 1.6% annualised GDP growth rate.

But how bad is 1.6% growth? We should adjust for population growth to look at real growth in average incomes. Subtracting our World-Bank-reported 1995 population growth rate of 2.1% leaves negative incomes growth of -0.5%. The reported 2001 population growth rate is only 0.8%, perhaps reflecting dubious estimates of Aids-deaths so far, suggest slightly more positive 0.8% incomes growth, assuming that the estimates are correct.

Looking at only the very latest growth rate can mislead us. Consider, then, compound GDP growth rate over many years, as already corrected for population changes. Between 1980 and 2001, spanning the change in government, real incomes shrank an average -0.6% yearly. Just from 1990 to 2001 they marked time with barely negative yearly -0.1%. And during 1995 to 2001 they grew by average annual 0.9%. So well done, ANC, for reversing the long-term trend since the early seventies!

Still, 0.9% incomes growth is nothing to write home about. At this rate incomes double only every 80 years or so – that's no way to uplift the poor, create jobs and prosperity for all, or win elections. We should be emulating China 's reported 20-year incomes growth rate of 8.2%, which doubles real incomes every nine years.

Reflecting on incomes, those alive and working tend to feel we do keep getting better off as the world turns. Each year we pay off more of the house and schooling, save a bit and tot up rising net worth or at least falling net debt! It's hard to discount this personal-growth effect, but we must. Average country incomes relate, instead, to you now versus someone of your present age two decades ago or two decades ahead, such as your father or son. One should also discount how technological progress here and elsewhere keeps providing better goodies for the same money obtained by selling a cow or a day's labour.

Thus in 1970 South Africans enjoyed an average income of $4,100 (as expressed by the World Bank in constant 1995 US dollars), but by 2001 this had fallen slightly to $4,068. South Africans 'stood still' while during the same period the Japanese prospered from $20,465 to $44,458. Closer to home, Botswanans overtook us, increasing their incomes from $538 to $4,130.

Even Russians emerging from communism and the Cold War improved their incomes since 1970 from $2,049 to $2,609. Last year they achieved 6.6% GDP growth, with President Putin now promising doubled GDP in the next decade. With Russia 's static population, that will mean 7% annual GDP growth, which may remind us of GEAR's promised 6%-plus.

The ANC looks ahead with pre-election optimism. The party's recent ten-year review frets about poverty and unemployment causing social instability to arise from popular dissatisfaction among adversarial NGOs and social movements. A 'Shosholoza' boom scenario talks wistfully about 6.5% annual GDP growth halving unemployment to 18% by 2014. It envisages a strong state, effective health programmes and effective corporate governance. Increased social spending is to raise local demand in a virtuous economic cycle, as incomes inequality falls decisively

President Mbeki regularly reminds us that this vision is not based on 'market fundamentalist' or 'neo-liberal' thinking about getting government out of the way. Following the policy shifts adopted at ANC's 2002 Stellenbosch conference, an annual 4.7% increase in budgeted government spending started being implemented in 2003. This increases the state's share of GDP by 1% annually, rather as Britain 's Chancellor Gordon Brown is doing. So far, Finance Minister Manuel is increasing the budget deficit rather than tax rates, for obvious short-term electoral reasons.

We should note that government's election manifesto objectives address creating work, fighting poverty and promoting equality. Not promoting overall economic growth first, or at high priority. Wealth will be redistributed through social spending to uplift poor millions, and taxes will upgrade and create 'essential infrastructure' like railways. Will such avowedly social-democratic spending promote growth? Maybe so – since apparently 'most economists' expect growth to improve in 2004 from this year's 'disastrous near-recession'.

Or maybe not. Two of many lessons from the global liberalisation experience may be relevant. The first is what Thatcherites call the Rule of Two. More formally from the 1988 New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, it says private firms are everywhere and always roughly twice as productive as state-owned firms. So, for example, if Kumba really wishes to compete with Australian and Brazilian iron ore exporters, a private venture should acquire it and Spoornet's Orex line and Saldhana port.

The second is a 1998 finding of the US Joint Economic Committee that increasing government expenditures by 10% as a share of GDP reduces the annual growth rate by 1%. So, all else being equal, government should tax and spend less rather than more in order to promote growth. Efforts to disprove the fact that governments are bad at regulating and running businesses may just possibly fail, as everywhere elsewhere.

Such uncomfortable 'neo-liberal' considerations suggest the average South African can 'look forward' to lower growth – even shrinkage – in real per capita income. Government was right first time, GEAR did contain the right elements for growth, development and poverty-reduction but was unfortunately not implemented in its entirety. After the election it should consider revisiting the policy.

(H.Sterling Burnett – Washington Times February 23, 2004)

Proponents of policies to control human-induced global warming cite science as the basis for their claims and proposals. There is only one problem – as much as they claim otherwise, there is no scientific consensus for their theories, says H. Sterling Burnett, a senior fellow with the National Centre for Policy Analysis.

No matter what the climate phenomenon, says Burnett, if it can in some way be presented as unusual by global warming alarmists, it is argued to be "further evidence of global warming," even if it contradicts earlier "evidence" pointed to by the same people. For example:

In late January, newspapers in England reported a study indicating ongoing global warming may plunge the world into the next ice age. This is not the first study that has predicted a great freeze; indeed, some scientists were warning of the coming ice age as early as the 1970s.

The main difference is that those early predictions were based on supposed evidence that the Earth was undergoing a significant cooling trend since the 1940s and that a naturally occurring ice age was overdue. This is the problem with trying to forge appropriate policy responses to possible threats posed by future climate change – for what scenario do we plan?

In the realm of climate change research, different models looking at the same phenomenon using the same principles of atmospheric physics often produce dramatically varied results, says Burnett. The only thing clear concerning the many purported effects of the Earth's warmer climate is that, because they contradict each other, human-caused global warming cannot be causing all of them simultaneously and it may not be responsible for any.

Wildcrafted and organically grown African strain Grade A Amanita muscaria v. muscaria. Its history has it associated with both Shamanic and magical practices and it was identified as the "Soma" of the ancient (4000 BC) Rig Veda by Gordon Wasson. These mushrooms are sold for their historical and ethnobotanical interest only and are not for human consumption.

Among the genera of plants, the genus Amanita (family Amanitaceae, order Agaricales, class Basidiomycetes) includes some of the most beautiful and mysterious mushrooms, showing strange chemical and pharmacological properties. Centuries have passed since observations of some of the unusual characteristics, notably, physiological effects, of these mushrooms were first documented. These characteristics include insecticidal properties, deadly toxic capabilities and the ability to cause hallucinations, narcosis and other intoxications. For over 100 years, chemists, pharmacologists and ethnobotanists, among others, have deployed great efforts in attempts to resolve the curious chemical composition of these mushrooms and to explain fully some of the peculiarities attributed to them. Despite these efforts, there remains much to be clarified.

Although several species in this taxon are scientifically interesting, of particular concern are those considered to be deadly poisonous and those known to cause hallucinations, narcosis and other centrally controlled physiological phenomena. An outline of the components known to occur in this genus follows; however, special attention will be given to the well-known fly-agaric, Amanita muscaria, because of the very curious chemistry and pharmacology of this species.

In spite of President Bush's $15 billion pledge to help Africa fight AIDS over the next five years, the continent will still be severely affected by other diseases, natural disasters and environmental degradation. The cause?

Poverty, says the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the kind that grows from bad political and economic systems:
Half of all Africans contract malaria each year, and 2 million are affected by tuberculosis – diseases practically non-existent in the developed world.
In 2002, Africa experienced 15 of the 30 deadliest natural disasters that occurred worldwide.
In the face of natural disasters, the effects of poverty multiply even more.
During the last ten years, 13 times more people have died per natural disaster in poor countries than in wealthy countries:
On December 22 2003, an earthquake registering 6.5 on the Richter scale struck near San Luis Obisp, between Los Angeles and San Francisco; while there was extensive damage to property, only three people were killed.
Four days later, an earthquake of similar magnitude, 6.6 on the scale, hit near the city of Bam in Iran; the deaths are still being counted, and about 30,000 have already been confirmed.

Developed countries are not immune to natural disasters – in 2002, the United States experienced 17 of them, including earthquakes, floods and droughts. But wealthier countries can withstand disasters and disease outbreaks far more successfully than poorer countries, due to the availability of resources to build and maintain strong buildings, medical facilities, emergency communications and means for rescue. While aid from drug companies, governments and charities helps poor countries, they must build their own prosperity. Free markets and democracy will improve the lives of the poor more than emergency aid, says AEI.

This year was the third year that the 28 year old international cyclist, Mirjam Melchers, came to Dullstroom to do her high altitude training. Only this time she brought the entire team to Dullstroom because they are determined to won the Gold medals at the Athene Olympic Games.

She was: Winner of the National Championship road race; Winner National Cycling Championships cross country; 2 times World Overall champion.

Her team mate, the 33 years old Leontien van Moorsel, even more impressive. Undoubtedly the world's best cyclist ever with victories such as 9 times World Champion; 2 times Tour de feminin winner; 3 times Olympic Gold and a World record holder.

(African Eye News Service)

The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) last week announced its third international destination for scheduled passenger flights. KMIA business development manager, Irvin Phenyane said the airport outside Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, had clinched a bilateral government agreement to licence a regular scheduled service to Zambia's tourism capital, Livingstone, from May 2004.

"The service has been approved by both governments' transport ministries, and has been sent to the Air Services Licencing Council for final selection of our short listed airlines to operate the route," said Phenyane. The route will be used to establish a 'golden triangle' tourism circuit including beaches in Mozambique, safari attractions in Mpumalanga, adventure tourism in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and urban attractions in popular cities such as Cape Town and Durban.

The announcement follows KMIA's unveiling last month of its first international routes to Vilanculos, Inhambane and Beira in Mozambique. "We expect the first flights to begin sometime in April - exactly one year after we won our international licence," said Phenyane

(African Eye News Service)

Mpumalanga has invested nearly R40m in the past two years to develop the scenic Highlands district municipality. The municipality includes the popular trout-fishing mecca of Dullstroom and the historical towns of Waterval Boven and Waterval Onder. A tourism information centre and kiosk is being built at Waterval Boven at a cost of R415 000 in recognition of the value of tourism in the region, said spokeswoman for the provincial government, Joy Letlonkane.

"The project was started in April 2002 and will possibly be completed in November 2004," she said.

Another R230 000 is being spent on a feasibility study project to repackage tourism at Waterval Boven, Belfast , Dullstroom and Machadodorp.

(Miguel de Sousa)

Mpumalanga Tourism Authority (MTA) attended ITB at Berlin, Germany from March 12-16 over a period of five days, ITB is one of the largest travel and tourism shows in Europe, sporting a total of 9 971 exhibitors from 181 countries. The show is attended by travel destinations, airlines, hotels, and prominent decision makers and buyers in the tourism industry. In 2003 more than 149 943 visitors attended the show, with 67 000 coming from the trade as well as 6 700 journalists from 80 countries.

“Mpumalanga is a sought after destination for the German market, and according to the latest provincial distribution figures, Mpumalanga is the third most popular destination for this market currently standing at 38%, after Western Cape's 76% and Gauteng's 51%,” said MTA's ceo, Elliott Ndala.
Together with SA Tourism, the MTA will use ITB to network with strategic partners to gather information on tourism trends and improve the country and province's exposure in the German market.

Lucky Mokwena, a student at Boston City Campus in Nelspruit, was selected by SA Tourism to attend ITB 2004. Mokwena will accompany Robert Nkuna of Ebustini 4X4 and Beauler Ntuli of Nomndeni View Lodge - winners of the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2002 and 2003 respectively. A third year tourism student, Mokwena is part of SA Tourism's programme to give tourism students and emerging tourism entrepreneurs exposure to international markets and tourism trends. The trio depart from Johannesburg International Airpor, and will returned to South Africa on 18 March 2004.

(Miguel de Sousa)

Hans Merensky Hotel & Golf Estate, located in Phalaborwa and bordering the Kruger Park in Limpopo - having undergone two years of construction and refurbishment - has just been awarded a 4-star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

Hans Merensky Estate falls under Irish owner Xavier McAuliffe's Spectra African Portfolio which includes his other African properties namely Erinvale Estates Hotel in Somerset West, The Van Riebeeck Hotel in Gordon's Bay and Aguia Negra in Vilanculos , Mozambique.

Erinvale has just opened a new wellness centre, while the two other properties have also undergone extensive refurbishment to fit in with the group's new image.

“We are now ready to package the properties offering preferred rates to agents and operators using more than one establishment on one trip. All properties will not increase rates for 2005 in keeping with the spirit of remaining affordable to visitors,” said Hans Merenksy's marketing manager, Tracey Austin.

(Miguel de Sousa)

On May 22, 2004 the Hazyview, Graskop and Sabie area in Mpumalanga will be inundated with South African and international cyclists who will be taking part in the Panorama Xtreme cycle challenge, formerly known as the Spar Numbi Cycle race and once again sponsored by Spar.

The Panorama Xtreme has been given ‘classic' status, and this year the 100km event, which starts in Hazyview, will be timed with the ‘ChampionChip' system for absolutely accurate race results. Further events include a 70km race, starting in Graskop, and a 45km race, which starts in Sabie. For the family there is a 15km Fun Ride which starts at the Brandwag Farm Stall just outside of Hazyview.

All the events finish at the driving range at the well-known Kruger Park Lodge in Hazyview, and prize allocations will take place at 11h00 and 13h00. Total prize money that can be won is R20 000. The first prize for the male and female overall winner is R3 000 each.

For more info, log on to: www.panoxtreme.co.za

(Miguel de Sousa)

South Africa's largest zoo, the Pretoria National Zoological Gardens, has been declared a national research facility, which will be subject to the provisions of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Act. All the zoo's assets and liabilities will be transferred to the NRF with effect from April 1, 2004. The transfer was declared in the Government Gazette on February 27, 2004.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is a government agency responsible for supporting and promoting research and the provision of research facilities, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of the natural and social sciences, humanities and technology.

"The transfer of the Pretoria National Zoological Gardens to NRF should strengthen the funding of the zoo's scientific research functions and enhance its ability to do excellent research in the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity," said Dr Khotso Mokhele, president and ceo of the NRF.

The declaration of the Pretoria National Zoological Gardens as a national research facility presents a remarkable opportunity for the zoo to redefine and reposition itself as one of the leaders in breeding and research of endangered species.

The Pretoria Zoo, as it is popularly known, was established in 1899 and is the only zoo in South Africa with national status and is rated as one of the top zoos in the world, attracting hundreds and thousands of local and international visitors annually.

(Lucy Siebert)

The first workshop of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism yesterday at the Farm Inn in Pretoria, Gauteng .

DEAT's director general, Dr Crispian Olver, said the action plan, which focuses on broadening biodiversity for all South Africans, has been particularly significant in the context of the country's decade of freedom.

"The wonderful stories of the Makuleke and the Dwesa/Cwebe communities, who are today co-owners and managers of our protected areas and many other similar developments represent key milestones in the quest to bring conservation to the people," said Olver.

Olver also used the event to remind delegates about the challenges facing biodiversity in the world and invited the commitment of all stakeholders in the implementation of the department's strategy.

(Miguel de Sousa)

Julian Matthews, MD of UK tour operation Discovery Initiatives, a business dedicated to ‘responsible tourism', addressed representatives of the tourism industry in Sandton on Wednesday on global trends towards fair and responsible tourism.

He was hosted by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, which aims to ensure that all tourism establishments follow fair and responsible business practices. Matthews said South Africa was a world leader in ‘fair' tourism, with the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa Trademark the first of its kind in the world.

He said as recently as 1997, the industry and consumers were ignorant about ‘fair' or ‘responsible' tourism.
“Although tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world, only about 10% of a tourist's average holiday spend is spent at/or benefits the destination. Tourism also often degrades the environment - 30% of natural habitats have been lost in the last three decades, partly due to poor tourism. Tourism can burn your house down unless you manage it well,” said Matthews.

He remarked that recent research conducted by UK based, Tearfund, revealed that most tourists were prepared to pay extra for tourism benefiting local communities and the host country and supported a responsible tourism code of conduct. Tourists increasingly support the concept of ‘fair trade' and/or ‘green tourism', with many special tours being developed along these lines.

“65% of UK tourists would like to know how to support the local economy and preserve the environment, so they can behave responsibly when they go on holiday. And 71% think it is important that their travel arrangements benefit people living in the destination through jobs and business opportunities,” Matthews added.

“Responsible or fair travel will ultimately be something everyone in the industry has to be involved in to maintain the integrity of tourist destinations and services. The South African travel industry has shown tremendous interest in practicing responsible tourism – an initiative supported by government. I believe that Fair Trade in Tourism is not an optional extra – it must become the accepted norm in travel if we are to maintain the very essence of why we all like to travel,” he concluded.

November 2002 Edition