Job Seekers and Employers - Have a Look

Job seekers and Employment Agencies - please make use of my FREE groups on Facebook. Running since 2008 and not affiliated to any organisation - they are my personal groups with the intent of helping people find work.

If you would like to post job opportunities please inbox me and I can message all group members. I am only able to send out one message per week which I will do on TUESDAY evenings.

My email is: sandybigara@gmail.com
Subject: "Jobsearch" followed by Capetown, or KZN, JHB or UK.

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FACEBOOK JOBSEARCH - Capetown:
http://m.facebook.com/groups/129822500408

FACEBOOK JOBSEARCH - KZN
http://m.facebook.com/groups/98604408934

FACEBOOK JOBSEARCH - JHB
http://m.facebook.com/groups/110797223928

FACEBOOK JOBSEARCH - United Kingdom / UK
http://m.facebook.com/groups/280628885692
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Kaylene Lewis Found Safe!

Message received from Kath Singery!

"Kaylene has been found and is now home and safe with her family. Special thanks to Provincial Crime Intelligence for their dedication. Its been a hard ten days but it paid off in the end. Commendations to the Durban North Detectives who answered to every lead without hesitation. Your commitment was amazing. Also thank you to the wonderful ladies of the Durban North Crisis team were waiting for us when we brought her home.
Kaylene was found in a house in Escombe. A 34 old male has been arrested. The police media liaison will release more details in due course. Thank you all again. :)"


FANTASTIC!!


*Image sourced from Durban Organised Crime Unit -KZN on Facebook.
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BusinessDay - CHRIS THURMAN: As in Hamlet, Zuma betrays himself in his moral outrage.

With regards to the controversial painting "The Spear" - I thoroughly enjoyed this article by Chris Thurman.

Well said!

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=172467


Sandy Bigara
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Viva! Pop Opera in Durban Tonight!

www.vivapopopera.com will be performing TONIGHT 24th - 26th May 2012
R 140pp
Seabrooke Theatre @ DHS
St Thomas rd.
Book through www.computicket.com

Standing ovations throughout the show (never mind just at the end!) People returning again and again to watch VIVA.




Sandy Bigara
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The Spear vs Rhino Poaching

Saw this on Facebook while rushing about - I don't know who designed this, fantastic.

Who is responsible? Well done! Will Government notice now?? Or will they ignore as per usual?



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Update: Kaylene Lewis Missing Durban Teen

Please forward this.

"Kaylene is my niece. Her dad had a call from a lady in PE who said she saw a girl possibly matching Kaylene's discription, but might not be her... She said she was on her way to JBAY... please anyone in JBAY / PE area please keep a lookout for her.. She should of reached Jeffreys Bay now if it is her. If anybody spots her please phone Quinton (her dad) on 0823252069"

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203883562983334.47278.203264669711890&type=3
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Missing Durban Teen: Kaylene Lewis

21/May/2012
Missing girl Kaylene Lewis: Story IS confirmed.

Please check out the link and then forward/share etc. Email if you can.
Thanks.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203883562983334.47278.203264669711890&type=3
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Taxi and Bus Strike: The Demands and Reaction

I have been trying to find out what the outcome of the Taxi violence was.

My Domestic assistant/Office assistant is still not at work and I have no idea if she is ok...or not.

The following article is concise, I hope that the issues are dealt with swiftly. Taxi drivers may be feeling 'targeted' but their demands are ridiculous. Read on...

Click on the following link to read a full article about what happened as a result of the strike action:
http://m.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/No-whites-Indians-Durban-taxi-drivers-demand-20120520
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Helen Zille 19 May 2012

DA leader Helen Zille explains how her party is turning round formerly ANC run municipalities

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What we found and how we are turning things around
Yesterday, the 18th of May, marked the first anniversary of last year's local government election - the Democratic Alliance's most successful election ever. We now govern in 27 local councils, in four provinces, and enjoy 24 % of the national vote. In this special edition of SA Today, to mark the anniversary, it is appropriate for us to report back on some of the DA's achievements in government in the "new DA municipalities" (those we won from the ANC a year ago).

The DA won 13 new councils last year, either alone or in coalition - Bitou, Breede Valley, Drakenstein, George, Hantam, Hessequa, Karoo Hoogland, Knysna, Laingsburg, Langeberg, Nama Khoi, Saldanha Bay, Witzenberg.

In most of our new councils it took some months for the full extent of the damage to become apparent. The outgoing administrations were, as a rule, anything but co-operative. Issues included missing documents , break-ins, harassment and theft, as well as damaged, broken or stolen equipment . In many cases, these actions were not simply vindictive, but seemingly designed to destroy records, including evidence of corruption.

In the words of one of our new Mayors, Gesie van Deventer of Drakenstein municipality (Paarl and Wellington), many of these had become "shell municipalities" under the ANC. They "looked normal from the outside but had no substance" when the inner workings were examined. Moreover, many of the new councils "had been experts in what can only be called 'creative accounting' to hide financial decline".

While the overall pattern of ANC mis-governance was similar across all these municipalities, outcomes did vary. Generally, the smaller municipalities (with the notable exceptions of Bitou and Hantam) were in better shape than the larger. The four biggest new DA municipalities - Breede Valley, Drakenstein, George and Saldanha Bay - were nearing financial collapse. Unaffordable excesses like international travel, food for councillors, mayors cars and, most costly of all, jobs for pals, meant that most of these councils faced a crisis of liquidity.

The new DA administrations were also hamstrung in their efforts to take corrective action, as all had to operate using budgets passed by the previous ANC administration in the last few days before the election. In three municipalities - Bitou, Drakenstein and Hantam - the last ANC budget did not even cover staff salaries for the next year. Under the new DA administrations all three were forced to take emergency measures (loans or redirection of funding earmarked for development) just to pay staff.

Breede Valley's dire financial situation epitomized the condition of all these local councils. With one-off transfers stripped out, the municipality's liquidity ratio - in other words its ability to raise immediate cash and cover short term liabilities - had slipped from 142% in 2010 to 127% in 2011 . A ratio of below 100 means the municipality cannot meet its debts and is technically bankrupt. Because municipal government tends to find it difficult to rapidly recoup monies owed, a prudent ratio of 200% is usually desirable. By this standard, most of the new DA municipalities were slipping towards unsustainability.

The recession which started in 2008 presented a common problem - pressure on cash flows - and implied the necessity of a belt-tightening exercise in all South African municipalities. But the ANC continued to spend freely. When the DA came to office, our first business was to cut this undisciplined expenditure on "nice-to-haves". In the three largest new DA municipalities alone (Breede Valley, Drakenstein and George), these cuts saved some R140-million in the first year (2011/12). This process continues into the second year of DA governance.

One of the biggest inherited problems is the blurring of the critical distinction between party and state, with many Municipal Managers under the ANC displaying openly partisan behaviour. In Saldanha, the Municipal Manager, a former ANC party secretary for the Boland region, appointed a number of party members to the municipal housing and social services departments. Despite the 18 officials in its housing department, Saldanha Bay, constructed only 646 houses in 2010, while DA-run Swartland, a smaller municipality with only 2 housing officials, built over 2000.

This reflects one of the major differences between the new DA municipalities and the old ANC administrations. The ANC treated municipalities as employment agencies. The DA is determined to construct democratic, open, accountable and above all sustainable delivery machines.

Despite the necessary focus on salvaging the municipal finances in the first year, these new DA administrations have already demonstrated that impartial and honest administration is the key to delivery. A number of housing projects, previously blocked by ANC maladministration and corruption, have been unblocked by DA administrations. Under the ANC, Drakenstein delivered 120 houses in the 2010/11 financial year. Under the DA, the 1 500 house Dromedaris project has now been cleared. Ward committees and Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) activities, so often used by the ANC as patronage channels, have been reconstituted on a basis where poverty, not party loyalty, determines access.

A new emphasis has been placed on the restoration and maintenance of infrastructure as the new DA administrations commit themselves to sustainability rather than short term influence peddling.

The new DA administrations are putting the finishing touches on the first genuine set of DA budgets. Given the on-going recession as well as the ANC legacy, these have to be appropriate, sustainable budgets. All the new DA municipalities are beginning to demonstrate that where the DA governs it governs better. In each case, the entire administration is being rendered more "fit-for-purpose" and thus better able to achieve development goals. Improvements are already visible on the ground, in communities and within municipal administrations.

But it takes a long time to turn a municipality around, so that people start to see and feel the results. That is why an administration has a five-year term of office. Looking back on the first of this five-year term, I have no doubt that most of the new DA municipalities are off to a good start, cleaning out the stables they inherited, and saddling their horses for the distance ahead.

In five years the voters in these municipalities will directly experience the difference. That should pave the way for a second DA term-of-office, after which the comparison between DA-run municipalities and ANC-municipalities becomes plain for all to see. In the end, voters get the government the majority voted for. It is our job to make it clear why this choice should be DA.

Sincerely yours,

Helen Zille
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Robin Gibb has Died

Another star has passed away.

Robin Gibb (62) of Beegee's fame "passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," according to a statement attributed to his family. He passed away in England. The time of death as posted on his official Twitter page was at 10:47 a.m.

We thank you Robin, for the fun, laughter and amazing sounds that you all produced over the years. May you rest in peace.

More articles on the subject: http://www.google.com/search?client=ms-rim&hl=en&q=robin%20Gibb&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&channel=browser

Twitter feed: https://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=Robin+Gibb&x=0&y=0


Sandy Bigara

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African Whisper Column: The Existential Crisis

by

Rochelle Jacobs - Stellenbosch

all comments will be forwarded on to Rochelle for reply

 

The Existential Crisis

 

The wind blows outside like a maniacal witch on a quest for destruction.

Or retribution.

As though the earth protests its abuse and demands justice, as though the injured souls of the damaged cry out for vengeance.

And, closeted behind rattling doors, with glass panes and wood panels, I sit and contemplate my life. In painful moments I recall the stupidest decisions I have made; the way I have let myself be abused, and the way I have abused others. For agonizing hours I relive the most painful of my memories - the nights I have cried myself into fitful sleep, and the nightmares that still haunt me. And then my own self-pitying thoughts turn to thoughts of other's pain - of the world and the hell we've put each other through.

I imagine my beloved country - my beautiful Africa - as she should be... as she COULD be.

I imagine standing and telling the world what the world needs to hear - my voice cracking with emotion, my eyes filled with tears. Mostly, I imagine what would happen if the world actually LISTENED. I imagine what I would say - what ANYONE would say, if they had the guts and the opportunity to say it...I imagine standing and shouting out the anguish I feel with the passion I feel it! I imagine saying: "ENOUGH! Enough rape, enough murder, enough hardship! Enough pain! Enough blood has been spilled to stain our world red and enough anguished tears have been ignored to fill our depleting oceans! Enough of the tragedy: that has become the human condition.

I AM AN AFRICAN!

I am a living, breathing soul such as any on Earth. I have the same blood in my veins, I breathe the same air in my lungs, and I feel the same sadness and love!

 

What does race, country, colour matter?

What matters is love and passion and hope - love of your family, passion for your country, hope for our world!

What are we without love?

It separates us from monsters and gives us the ability to better ourselves.

Who are we without passion?

It gives us our purpose, our drive, our will to continue bettering our actions.

Where are we without hope?

It gives us a dream, a future and the determination to better our world!

What is one without the other?

What is love without the passion to fight for it and the hope to help endure it's hardships?

When did mankind become self-reliant, self-sustained and self-absorbed?

When did we trade compassion for selfishness and when will we wake from the delusion that it will get us anywhere?

When did pure cruelty become acceptable and kindness laughable?

When did true love become only the topic of bad fiction and lose it's raw power and possibility?

When did cynicism become the way of the wise and optimism a foolish dream?

When did family become a second option and money a requirement?

When did these problems cease to be seen as a problem?!

When will the world awaken from the nightmare it's been caught in and realize the truth?

 

The truth that it doesn't matter how much money you have if you've never loved; the truth that it doesn't matter how much work you do if it only betters you; the truth that mankind is not isolated but intertwined - looking after others is looking after yourself!

 

The smoke that pollutes America floats over Africa too. A person is not a person without other people! Look at yourself and examine YOUR truth!

Are YOU happy?

Are those around you happy?

Has your life been fair?

Have YOUR ACTIONS been fair?

Are YOU all you can be?

Have YOU achieved all you can achieve?

Have you helped OTHERS achieve all they can achieve?

Is the world a better place because you existed?

No?

WHY NOT?!"

 

And I imagine how, if I really said all these things and the world really listened, she would remain silent. She would look at me and have no answer. And maybe, just maybe, she would take to heart what I said and change her ways. And maybe the cries of the injured souls would no longer require justice - content in the knowledge that good now prevails over evil - and maybe the world would begin to regenerate, recuperate, and rejoice.

 

And maybe, life would go on with love and passion, and the wind would stop howling about pain and blow with soft whispers of hope instead.

Balmoral Hotel Dinner and Show - Help to save Bruno and Debbie

BALMORAL HOTEL – Durban Beach front

26th May 2012

3 course meal and Entertainment + PRIZES

R200 per head.

 

A performance by the talented AXEL BATSCH followed by a Piano and Vocal performance by "Golden Diva"  SANDY BIGARA.

 

Deposit your entrance Fees at R200.00 per head into our SOS BRU and DEB TRUST

 

First National Bank

Account Number 6232 556 1505

Florida Road

Branch Number 22 05 26

 

Using the following Reference:

"HOTEL-YOUR SURNAME-AMOUNT"

example "HOTEL-ABBOOD-R800.00"

This will put you in line to win LUCKY DRAW PRIZES on the night. Thanks please forward proof of payment to email address info@sosbrunodebbie.co.za

Taxi Violence and Art

It seems that while Taxi and Bus violence spreads like wildfire and stones fly like hail stones, while helicopters circle Durban and absolute bloodshed and chaos ensue on the M4... The Prez is upset about a painting.

Now, I personally feel that the painting is distasteful, but others will argue that the Prez is as well. What is your opinion? Is "The Spear" a piece of Art or a childish jab at a public figure and a shameless attempt at publicity?

It seems that our beloved Government doesn't like, or understand, Art. If the rotting, rusting Andrie Botha's Elephant sculptures and Bronze Shaka Zulu sculpture are anything to go by. Or the Zapiro cartoon case, going to court in October? Zuma has, to date, sued the media 11 times for defamation. Are people crossing the line or is the Prez too sensitive?

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Here is the Brett Murray painting of "Zuma's Jewels" that has the ANC up in arms. #prezjewels pic.twitter.com/zgaJ34Vf - What is your reaction?

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18115724 Zuma and the ANC to sue the Artist.

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http://www.brettmurray.co.za/ The Artist's page.

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http://www.zapiro.com/About/News Zapiro case news.

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http://mg.co.za/tag/andries-botha The Elephant sculpture saga.

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Sandy Bigara
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Coming Soon...

Gorgeous, and blessed with a golden voice...

Coming soon...

A profile of the charming and talented local singer, Rene Tshiakanyi, and a long overdue restaurant crit!

In the meantime:

Please have a look at the following links and see if you can make use of this inspiring man's willingness to share his love of music.

www.renetshiakanyi.com
www.youtube.com/renetshiakanyi
www.facebook.com/renetshiakanyi.music
www.myspace.com/renetshiakanyi-music

Sandy Bigara

Photograph sourced from the artists own website. An article by City Press.

Recipe: Sandy’s Kiddies Monster Mash!

This one will *not* be winning any beauty pageants...

Monster Mash

Three 1cm rings of butternut, diced

1 potato
½ cup frozen peas

1 tsp margarine

Dash of milk or cream

Salt to taste

(serves 2)

   

Sausages & Spear

1 or 2 viennas or any sausage that your children enjoy, cut into 1cm's

Tooth picks or skewer "spears" (help with developing fine motor skills)

Tomato sauce

   

Method

Monster Mash

1. Boil potato and butternut until soft.
2. Mash with 1 tsp margarine and a dash of milk.
3. Add the peas and mix in gently with a spoon, leave to sit so that the peas melt and stay sweet.     

Sausages & Spear

1. Add sausages to the boiling potato and butternut to cook, hook them out before you mash!
2. Cut them into 1cm lengths and place them around the plate with the monster mash central.
3. Give each child a "spear" and tall them to spear their sausage and dip it into the tomato sauce.  

To Serve

You could even make a "monster mash volcano" and put tomato sauce in a well that you create at the top of the mound of monster mash.
   

Bon Apetit!

   

Sandy Bigara

Recipe: Sandy’s Granadilla Chicken Tandoori

Would do nicely with a sprig of fresh coriander on top!

This is where you will return, again... and again... for seconds, thirds...

Granadilla Chicken Tandoori

Olive oil to taste

1 tsp tandoori curry powder (2 tsp if you are very brave!)

1 tbsp dried coriander

1 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsp brown sugar

½ tsp salt

2 large garlic cloves diced finely

1 large onion diced

1 medium sized butternut cut into 1cm cubes

2 deboned chicken breasts cut into 1x2cm chunks (you can add up to 4 chicken breasts in this recipe.)

2 x 100g tubs of granadilla yogurt 

Rice   

1 cup of white rice

¼ tsp dried mint

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste added to cooking water 

Method

Granadilla Chicken Tandoori

1. Heat olive oil in a non stick frying pan, add onion and garlic and fry until the butternut is soft and starting to burn.
2. In a separate container, mix the spices with the yogurt and add the chicken, allow the meat to marinade.
3. When the pan ingredients are ready, add the yogurt and curry chicken pieces and stir until the chicken is cooked. Leave to simmer while the rice cooks. 

Rice

1. Add rice to a microwave bowl and add enough water so that there is a 3cm gap between rice and water surface. Add salt to taste.
2. Microwave for 25 minutes checking at 20 minutes.
3. When the rice is cooked, drain and add the mint and olive oil, stir well and allow to stand for 5 minutes for the mint to spread through the rice.

    

To Serve

Add the chicken curry to the rice and mix through, serve piping hot and make sure you cooked enough for second helpings!

    

Bon Apetit!  

Sandy Bigara

Recipe: Sandys Sticky Pudding

Get in my face! Om nom nom!

Sandy's 'Sticky Pudding'

Pudding

100g self raising flour

100g brown sugar

4tbsp cocoa

Pinch mixed spice (nutmeg, clove, cinnamon)

4tbsp jam (strawberry, apricot, any kind of jam)

1tbsp vanilla essence

2 large eggs

100g melted margarine

Sticky soak-in sauce

200ml full cream milk or cream

50g margarine

1tsp vanilla essence

4 tbsp brown sugar

Method

Pudding

1. Mix flour, cocoa and sugar together.

2. Add melted butter combined with vanilla essence and mix well.

3. Add jam and mix until smooth.

4. Add eggs and whisk until sloppy and shiny.

5. Pour into a buttered round or square tin (20cm x 20cm) and bake at 180' for approx 20min. or until the centre has risen and it smells done.

6. Remove and pour the sauce slowly over the top until it all soaks in.

7. Serve with a bland custard – the pudding is quite sweet.

Sticky Soak-in Sauce

1. Put all ingredients into a microwave safe jug and microwave until warm. Removing at 20sec intervals to stir. Do not let it boil.

2. Pour over the pudding slowly allowing it to soak in.

The nice thing about this pudding is that it is flop proof. Add whatever jam you like and make it personal. Another idea is to not make the Sticky sauce, and instead make custard and pour that over to soak in.

Bon Apetit!

Sandy Bigara