Latest News

As can be seen in our list of closed businesses below, Standard Bank is closing its branches apace. The latest, closing end April (and already reduced to skeleton staff), is the Rivonia branch in Rivonia Village.  All accounts are apparently being moved to Woodmead, irrespective of whether Sunninghill would be more convenient –probably Sunninghill will be next!  The branch in Bryanston Shopping Centre closed a while ago.

There also seems to have been something of a bloodbath amongst the restaurants: We list four that have closed recently. With the economy suffering from business-hostile government policies, it is hardly surprising that hard-pressed citizens reduce their eating-out.

Election Update

Election Day is next week, on Wednesday 8 May.  What are your choices?

The ANC pioneered state capture with its deliberate policy of "cadre deployment", and brought the looting of the public purse and the destruction of state institutions to full fruition under President Jacob Zuma.  Although he has retired, dozens of his corrupt henchmen (and -women) are on the ANC lists for Parliament and Provinces.  To vote for such a party is to endorse all that has gone wrong in South Africa over the last 25 years, and encourage "a looter continua". Do you want this?

The ironically-named Economic Freedom Fighters (none of whom have any qualifications in economics), is lead by a firebrand with a quasi-military title. They take the failed state of Zimbabwe as their economic model and encourage lawlessness in Parliament and the rest of the country.  If they were to win power, the population would starve while party leaders holiday on fallow land.

Patricia de Lille's new party is notable in that its leader settled, not for Exceptional, not for Outstanding, but merely for "Good". Surely we can do better?

Despite a few blunders, the Democratic Alliance is the only party with a track record of good governance: Both in the Western Cape, and in South Africa’s biggest cities.  The DA has solid principles and an economic agenda that works elsewhere in Africa and the World. A vote for the DA is a vote against corruption. It's a vote for change, an honest and professional civil service, to grow our economy, and preserve your constitutional rights.

If we keep doing what we've always done, we will keep getting what we've always got.

Odd Jobs

Optometrist: "How far can you see clearly?"
Patient: "Well, when I get up in the morning I can see the sun, and they tell me it is 150 million kilometres away."
 

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Red Square has become Edgars Beauty, Shop GF32, Ground in Rivonia Village – Beauty and Fragrances, Cosmetics. Open mall hours.
• Red Square has become Edgars Beauty, Shop U23a, Upper Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Health & Beauty: Facials, makeovers, cosmetics.
• Cycle Gallery, Shop C06/C07, C: Hobart Road in Hobart Grove Centre – Bicycle Store. Premium bicycle brands and clothes with a focus on the Cannondale and GT brands.
• Coppa Patisserie, Shop GF44, Ground in Rivonia Village right of Woolworths – Opening soon. Pastries and cakes (naked and decorated). Catering.
• Embassy Marketing Agency, First Floor in Bryanston Shopping Centre – one-stop marketing machine; with top industry talent in PR, digital, web, creative and even print. Proudly African.
• The Diet Clinic, Shop 236, Second Floor in Bryanpark Shopping Centre.
• Tammy Taylor Nails, Shop 13, Ground in Grosvenor Crossing – Nail Salon. Open soon.
• Drifters Adventure Centre, Shop 17, Ground in Grosvenor Crossing – Africa’s Largest Adventure Gear Retailer (Outdoor, Climbing and Mountaineering) - opening soon.

Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top

Funny Language, English...

We just bought a replacement grill element for our Berda "TV Grill"... "now let's talk about the element in the room..."

Passed Away:  Back to top

• Delhi Dharbar Restaurant, Shop C06/C07 in Hobart Grove Centre – "Exquisite Indian food, made by authentic North-Indian chefs in a real Tandoori Oven" (it must have been terribly hot and cramped for them in there).
• Nino's in Rivonia Village – Italian Restaurant. Coffees, Breakfast, Pastas, Wraps, Pizza, Light meals, Speciality dishes, Tramezzini, speciality sandwiches, cakes.
• Pizza Luna, and Luna Deli, Shop GF10 in Rivonia Village – Italian Restaurant specialising in authentic Italian Pizza and Pasta. Local and imported meats and cheeses, salads, panini, pastries.
• Standard Bank Rivonia in Rivonia Village – Was up the escalator above Woolworths, 1st Floor.
• Standard Bank Bryanston Service Centre, Shop 102 in Bryanston Shopping Centre – Bank. Was First Floor (ATM is still downstairs).
• Sure Lloyds Travel, Shop 101 in Bryanston Shopping Centre – Travel Agency.
• Pinkispade Studio (Suite 119) in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – Was First Floor.
• Rush South Africa (Suite 119A) in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – Was First Floor.
• JMW Project Management (Suite 129) in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – Was First Floor.
• Godfirst Church (Suite 208) in Bryanpark Shopping Centre seems to have come last – Was Second Floor.
• Cartyé, Shop 13 in Grosvenor Crossing – Sunbed and Tan Can. Variety of South African products.
• Arena Wellness, Shop 15 in Grosvenor Crossing – Exercise gym and juice bar: Boutique fitness hub with quality service, expert coaching and the latest equipment.
• Metro Restaurant, Shop 17 in Grosvenor Crossing – "A glamorous bistro, bar and ultra lounge for Johannesburg’s young, influential elite".

Not Really Stellar

Julius says that this election will mark a Stella achievement for his party. Now if we can only find out who "Stella" was, anyway?

Generators

With Eskom load shedding likely to resume directly after the election, the information below from Johannesburg Ward 117's Councillor Tim Truluck seems particularly timely:

I am now receiving a steady trickle of complaints about generators causing noise and air pollution issues to neighbours in residential areas. So I asked our Environmental Health Inspectors to provide some guidelines (along with some internet research).

Noise

There is no measureable noise threshold for a generator. If your generator is disturbing a neighbour, then it’s a problem. You need to do some or all of the following things if you want to continue using it:

• Think about getting an inverter instead - I use a plug and play one from Maiden Electronics that powers my fibre, charges devices and can run a printer for about a day.
• Buy a generator that is rated for residential use. It will be quieter when it is running.
• Soundproof it. You can buy a cover (like swimming pool pump covers) or put it in an outbuilding which you can soundproof.
• Move it away from the neighbour who is complaining.

If your neighbour is not complying, you can report them to Environmental Health.

Operating Times

There are no defined operating times. But again, use your discretion and try to be considerate of your neighbours.

Fumes

Exhaust fumes must not waft into your neighbour’s open windows or garden. If this is happening, then you will need to install a vent that will take the fumes up high so that they will not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.

Also, make sure that you don’t run the generator in an enclosed space, especially inside a room. There are many cases of families dying from carbon-monoxide poisoning.

Storage of Fuel

Fuel needs to be stored in a secure jerry can. Check with your insurance company as to what their requirements are and how many litres you can store. Also be careful when you refuel.

Connecting to Your Electricity System

Make sure that if you have connected into your household electricity system, it is done by a qualified electrician and that there is a changeover isolator switch to prevent damage when municipal power is restored.

Security

It is easy to find out who has a generator – just take a walk or drive around a neighbourhood during load shedding. These properties are now being targeted by thieves, as usually the generator is left outside or in an unlocked room or garage. Please lock them away or secure them.

Overheard at the Checkout

"Stop patronising me!"

"But... you're a woman..."

"In that case, stop matronising me!"