OUTA Reports Back

The latest cleverly-named newsletter, "Inside OUTA", from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (formerly the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance) is chock full of interesting –sometimes depressing– articles, including:

1. Feedback from Chairman Wayne Duvenage
2. Struggling municipalities: Not enough customers pay their municipal bills. Municipalities owe Eskom hundreds of millions of rand and can’t make ends meet. So for some municipalities, the solution is to charge those customers who already pay, even more.
3. Tshwane contract: The City of Tshwane suspended a R30 million contract after an OUTA investigation. The project was worth R2 million; it was initially budgeted at R8 million but ultimately signed off at R30m plus VAT! The entire project was apparently subcontracted, at a total cost of only R1.5 million!
4. OUTA moves to strike SAA & SABC conspirators off the roll of Chartered Accountants: Both the SABC and SAA have good governance policies but it’s essential for qualified financial professionals to implement them. The responsible CA's should be held accountable for not doing so.
5. Funds leak away from basic water supplies: While some poor communities are still waiting for access to basic water infrastructure, government has instead diverted some of those funds to big-ticket high-profile projects.
6. OUTA and SANRAL butt heads in court: In May, OUTA barred at least 55 of SANRAL’s summonses on e-toll debts to the value of R2 million. They will defend you too, if you join as a member for a contribution of your choice.
7. Why does government need a beach in Knysna? The Knysna local municipality has issued a by-law which allows any government department to take over a beach. No-one can explain why. Nuclear?
8. The Party millions that aren’t for partying: Public funding for political parties this year is R140.7 million. From Parliament. Plus more in some provinces.

Odd Jobs

Sheffield --a piece of open land where they plant and grow chefs.

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Lyoness has moved from Rivonia Crossing 2 to First Floor, Building 29, The Woodlands Office Park, 20 Woodlands Drive, in the Woodmead Area – Global Shopping Community operating in 47 countries. Cashback Card gives 1-5% of purchases back in cash, plus loyalty points to leverage discounts.
• Rivonia On Deck at 17 Autumn Road, off Rivonia Road in Rivonia North Shops is closed for a revamp – "Jozi's premier business and lifestyle centre". African dishes to a fine dining standard.
• Asanka Afrika Cuisine, Upper Level in Rivonia Junction – Fine-dining, blending western food and prominent African influences from Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar, Mauritius, and beyond.
• Stuttafords Woodmead, Shop I on Upper Level in Woodmead Value Mart – "Branded luxury you can afford" on a 6-month interest-free account. Ladies' & men's fashion, beauty, fragrance, footwear, underwear, jewellery & watches.
• GetFit Garage, activity in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre – Fun Ladies' bootcamp, focusing on strength, fitness and weight loss.
• Scent & Smoke in Chilli Lane Shopping Centre Sunninghill – Smoking accessories, and perfumes to hide the stink.
• Core-Barre, Shop H03, Upper Level in Hobart Grove Centre – Boutique studio for men and women. Equipment and mat-based Rehabilitative Pilates, BootyBarre and Barre Fusion to improve core strength & fitness.
• Bean Tree Coffee Shop in Hobart Grove Centre in the entrance to Hobart Superspar.
• Rocket Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Shop RG01/RF01, Main Square Northwest in Hobart Grove Centre.
• Pizza Perfect Parkmore, Shop 19 in Parkmore Mews – Pizzas of all sorts, including vegetarian and chilli. Foccacia. Some pasta and salads.

Restaurant Review by Judith Back to top

**** Silver Pine Spur, Upper Level, Morning Glen Shopping Centre

After a really good Speakathon at Ernest Ullmann Park with Transformers Toastmasters, I was hungry. We dropped in at the Spur and I ordered a rare rump steak with spinach. The spinach was a mistake as it was full of flour, so it got sent back.  The steak was excellent as was the Van Louvern Chardonnay. The hot chocolate went down well for my partner.. As usual the service was good and the venue was warm!

Contact Details for Silver Pine Spur.

***** Pappadums, Upper Level, Morning Glen Shopping Centre

There was another couple there enjoying lunch who came to us as they were leaving to say the only problem they had was the food is so good that they keep coming back!  Very much why we do as well! We indulged in Chicken Hyderabadi, which arrived somewhat undercooked but was quickly rectified, and Lamb Biriyani. The chicken was great as was the Biriyani. The Lassi Mango was declared excellent and my Leopards Leap Chenin Blanc was not only excellent but well priced.

The staff and owners are great and attentive, making it always a pleasure to be there.

Contact Details for Pappadums.

Funny Language, English...

Romances begin with hand-holding; then things quickly osculate. --Phil Graham, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cut Off in Their Prime:  Back to top

• Direct Deals, Shop I in Woodmead Value Mart – "We beat any price" but not any more.
• ICE International Clothing Emporium, Shop G in Woodmead Value Mart – Daniel Rizotto menswear, etc. Closed 28 May.
• Calligraphy / Sumi E (separate classes) in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre – Calligraphy is simply the art of beautiful writing. Sumi E is Japanese brush painting, an enchanting art form anyone can learn.
• Belly Dance in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre – Tuesdays.
• Weigh-Less in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre – Tuesdays.
• Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Academy in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre.
• Judo in Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre – Sensei: Brigitte Hupkes.
• Hampton Hall Interiors, Shop 07 in Chilli Lane Shopping Centre Sunninghill – Interior decorating, design and décor. Furniture and fabrics. Curtaining and blinds.
• PizzaCassO Parkmore, Shop 19 in Parkmore Mews – Pizzas of all sorts, including vegetarian and chilli. Foccacia. Some pasta and salads.
• PizzaCassO Sunninghill, Shop 13 in Sunhill Shopping Centre – Pizzas, regular or large, salads, Foccacia, desserts.

Fastest Bed Guy in Town

Julius says he was fast asleep, but apparently not fast enough, because it still takes a full 8 hours.

Civic Tip: Is Your Car Roadworthy?

The Automobile Association of South Africa writes: "It's a crime to operate an unroadworthy vehicle on our roads. Would your car pass? Use this quick guide to find out!"

Rust? Doors? Windscreen? Windows opening and closing? Lights and indicators? Tread on tyres? Brakes? Chassis? Exhaust? Engine compartment? Interior? Read More Here.

How Sugar Affects the Immune System

Refined sugar suppresses our immune system. Does it not then make sense that when there are colds and flu going around, you should become extra cautious about giving your children any sort of sugar?

Try this experiment. When you feel a cold coming on, go on a binge and eat a tub of ice-cream or a slab of your favourite chocolate. Although you might get immediate satisfaction you will end up feeling worse the next day. Why is this? It’s because these items are packed with unhealthy sugars.

Read more on the Little Cooks Club website.

Imported Books at Bargain Prices

Albizia Book Bargains will have a stall on the upper level (Woolworths Court) at Bryanston Shopping Centre, William Nicol & Ballyclare 10 - 17 June, and on the lower level at Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre 27 June - 3 July.

Overheard at the Checkout

"What did you learn at school today, sweetie?"
"Mummy, we learned how to make babies!"
"Oh.. um.. er... ah.. you aren't doing Biology yet, are you?"
"No, it was in English class!"
"So, um.. ah.. how does one make babies?"
“It’s easy: you drop the ‘y’ and add ‘ies’!”