Investing in women who rely on craft will ensure economic support for themselves and their families

Craft Culture is an articulate expression of history. In South Africa particularly, it is central to our diverse heritage.

The unique aesthetic value of cultural artefacts is the heart of a cultural transaction. Within that experience, a visual connection to a specific legacy fuses with a localised social and, in turn, national identity.

Read more: A wealth of opportunity

The New Waste Act, to be finalised by the end of 2010, will have serious implications for business if not taken seriously.

South Africa is faced with disposing more than 26.4 million tonnes of rubbish per annum; conservatively speaking, our population of approximately 48 million people generates an average of 550 kilogrammes of waste per person per year.

Waste is the keyword here. An alarming percentage of what we throw away probably need not have been wasted to begin with.

We have a range of different waste products to manage, from spoilt food items to e-waste, which comprises discarded electronic and electrical equipment such as mobile phones, computers and various appliances.

Read more: Don’t make a mess of things

Cees Bruggemans on what can be expected in coming times

One frequently hears a speech extolling confidence in this beautiful country – willing it to be so, as if words alone could make this come true.

Yet, one need not only rely on the wish for it to be so, or hosting a World Cup for the evidence to shine through.

Read more: South African Optimism

The dynamics of approaching a venture capital company to start your business

Ask anyone who has taken the decision to start a new business, and he/she will vouch for the fact that securing funding for the venture is undoubtedly one of the most difficult parts of the process. Getting someone to quite literally buy into your idea is a route fraught with hurdles; but unless you have a handy trust fund lying around, it is a necessary evil.

Read more: A new venture

Public-private partnerships and corporate social investment programmes are the way forward for business

Before we go any further, let us first remind ourselves about the DNA of corporate social investment – what is CSI?

It is the investment of corporate funds or other assets for the primary purpose of achieving social outcomes because there is a need for such an investment. The primary intention of this investment is to achieve social outcomes. The expectation is of a social return on investment.

Read more: One hand feeds another

Trends determine a sector’s future

With global analysts labelling 2010 as a period of “green shoots” with regard to global economic recovery, it is no surprise that the mining sector has been subjected to increased analysis over the past 12 months.

Read more: Mining the gap!