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Census Data 2011: The New Numbers | 2oceansvibe.com

michelle — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:26:34 +0000

Statistics South Africa has today revealed the latest census data collected. Of the nearly 52 million people living here, the majority of them are under the age of 39.
Our population has grown by approximately seven million to 51 770 560 between 2001 and 2011, and 14 450 161 households were counted – up from 2001’s 11 205 705. The average size of the household was 3,4 people, down from 3,8 in 2001. 77,6% of people live in a formal dwelling (68,5% in 2001), 7,9% in traditional dwellings (14,8% in 2001) and 13,6% in informal dwellings (16,4% in 2001).
This data and more was released this morning in Pretoria by statistician-general Pali Lehohla, and handed to President Jacob Zuma, himself responsible for a number of South Africans.
The Business Day reported:
Divided by gender, 26 582 769 are female and 25 188 791 male. Along racial lines, 41 000 938 (79,2%) are black, 4 615 401 are coloured, 1 286 930 are Indian or Asian, and 5 586 838 (9,6%) are white.
The largest age group is the under-fives, which Statistics South Africa’s demographic analysis executive director, Diego Iturralde, said was due either to an overadjustment for the 5-14 age group in the 1996 and 2001 censuses, or to the HIV pandemic tapering off.
There are 10,9 million under-fives, 9,3 million children aged 5-9, 8,8 million aged 10-14, and 9,6 million aged 15-19. The second-largest sector of the population is between the ages of 20 and 24, accounting for 10,4-million people.
Of these, 73,5% attend an educational institution (71,5% in 2001; 70,1% in 1996), while the proportion attending private educational institutions has increased from 5,1% in 2001 to 7,3%. Most of those attending private institutions are doing so in Gauteng (16,7%), followed by the Western Cape (7,5%) and the Free State (6,4%).
What will please some is that the proportion of the population that has completed higher education has increased to 11,8%, from 8,4% in 2001 and 7,1% in 1996.
Other interesting information included the fact that “annual household income had more than doubled in the 10 years from 2001 to 2011, to R103 204 from R48 385.”
Female-headed households still fared worse than male-headed households with average female-headed household income coming in at just above half of that of the male-headed household income – R67 330.
Whitey’s remained the richest with “white-headed households earning an average annual income of R365 134, black-headed households R60 613, coloured-headed households R112 172 and households headed by Indians or Asians R251 541.”
65% of South Africans have no access to the Internet, 84,7% of have access to electricity, up from 69,7% in 2001 – the Western Cape leads the provinces with 93,4%. People with no access to running water dropped from 15,6% to 8,8%, and 46,3% of South Africans now have access to tap water, up from 32,3%.
The Mail and Guardian also has a comprehensive summary available, here, and if you are on Twitter, search the hashtag #Census2011 for even more information.
If you have an iPad, you can go to the iTunes store and download the Stats SA application.
[Sources: BusinessDay, EWN]

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Monday Morning Spice | 2oceansvibe.com

Contributor — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:35:09 +0000

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner breaks sound barrier – Austrian Felix Baumgartner has become the first skydiver to go faster than the speed of sound, reaching a maximum velocity of 1,342km/h. In jumping out of a balloon 39km above New Mexico, the 43-year-old also smashed the record for the highest ever freefall. He said he almost aborted the dive because his helmet visor fogged up. [bbc]
Family mourns hero of Hout Bay tragedy – Though John Roberts’ family hailed the drowned sailor as a hero, the safety of the charter boat that capsized off Cape Town at the weekend, on which he was a deck-hand, is being questioned. Roberts, 37, and Peter Phillip Hyett, 64, drowned after the charter boat, Miroshga, which was carrying 39 passengers, capsized near Duiker Island at about 3pm on Saturday. Duiker Island is a popular whale-watching spot. [timeslive]
Ex-cyclist: Doping done ‘so I could be a good teammate for Lance Armstrong’ – A former teammate of once acclaimed, now embattled former cyclist Lance Armstrong said Friday that there was no question why U.S. Postal Service team members doped during big races. “It was done by the team, but it was done for the Tour de France so I could be a good teammate for Lance Armstrong,” Tyler Hamilton told CNN on Friday. “He wanted you to be riding your best in the biggest races.” [cnn]
Zuma calls meeting on the economy – Two months of crippling labour turmoil are likely to force South Africa to look again at its economic growth forecasts, the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor said on Sunday. Wildcat strikes that started in the platinum mines have left more than 50 people dead and spilled to other industries, undermining investor confidence in the country and tarnishing President Jacob Zuma’s government. [iol]
Madonsela’s conduct to be probed – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela confirmed on Sunday that she has indeed been fair in all and every report and investigation. Prompted by criticism from members of parliament and the African National Congress (ANC), who questioned her impartiality during investigations, Madonsela reiterated her professionalism. Madonsela said she received an anonymous letter from a staff member earlier in the year accusing her of behaving with bias towards the Democratic Alliance (DA). [ewn]
Buffett picks up a gem in SA – The world’s most successful investor, Warren Buffett, has bought a South African jewellery manufacturer — his first investment in the country. The Richline Group, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has bought the assets of South African Manufacturing Jewellers, which is in a business rescue programme. The company also trades as Alan Mair Manufacturing Jewellers. [bdlive]
First female F1 principal makes her mark – Asked about women in Formula One and most observers would point to the grid girls who pout and pose in short skirts before every race. But the first female team principal in the 62-year history of the male-dominated sport says she hopes that her rise to prominence will change all that – cautioning that it was a long-term process. “You have to deliver the same (as men) and be as good as anyone else. It can show to women out there that they can also come out on top and believe in yourself,” Monisha Kaltenborn told AFP at the Korean Grand Prix. [mg]
Microsoft debuts Xbox music service to take on Apple – Microsoft Corp on Monday announced that Xbox Music, a digital music service to vie with Apple Inc’s iTunes and Amazon.com Inc’s Cloud Player, will be available for its Xbox game consoles on Tuesday. The service will be expanded to Windows software-based computers and tablets, including the upcoming Surface tablet, from October 26, when Microsoft launches Windows 8. It will be expanded to phones shortly after that. [reuters]
Pakistani Girl Shot By Taliban Sent To UK – The Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by Taliban gunmen for campaigning for girls to be educated has been sent to the UK for medical treatment. A military spokesman said that 14-year-old Malala Yusufzai, whose shooting has drawn condemnation abroad and at home, will require prolonged care to fully recover physically and psychologically. An air ambulance has been provided by the United Arab Emirates to transport Malala. She is travelling from Islamabad with her parents and medical staff. [sky]

Did you know you can now listen to 2ov Radio on News24?
US delays ruling on MTN $4.2bn Iran suit – A US court has delayed ruling on a $4.2bn suit by Turkish mobile operator Turkcell against South African rival MTN Group, pending a Supreme Court decision on a separate case, the two companies said. Turkey’s largest cellphone operator sued MTN in a US federal court in March, alleging the Johannesburg-based company used bribery and attempted trafficking of political influence to win a mobile licence in Iran that was first awarded to Turkcell. [fin24]
BBC Under Fire Over Savile Sex Abuse Allegations – The BBC is struggling to contain a crisis sparked by allegations of serial sexual abuse against the late Jimmy Savile, a longtime children’s television host. Dozens of women have come forward to say that Savile, who died in October 2011 aged 84, sexually assaulted them when they were as young as 13. London’s Metropolitan Police, which is leading a national investigation, says it has identified 40 potential victims. [ap]
Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino to come face to face with victims – Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia, is to come face to face with victims of the disaster for the first time as his criminal inquest opens on Monday. The hearing will be held in Grosseto’s Teatro Moderno, a large auditorium that can accommodate up to 1,300 people, to cater for the large number of witnesses, lawyers, survivors and their families. Up to 125 lawyers will appear for the aggrieved parties and information will be provided in five languages – Italian, French, Spanish, English and German – to those seeking last minute accreditation. [telegraph]
Nasa noses in on nasal spray market – Nasa has signed an agreement with a California-based startup to develop and market a nasal spray for motion sickness. Nasa will work with privately owned Epiomed Therapeutics of Irvine, California, on the nasal spray, which has been shown to be a fast-acting treatment for motion sickness. About half the astronauts who fly in space develop space motion sickness. [stuff]
Anonymous distances itself from WikiLeaks – The computer hacker collective Anonymous has distanced itself from WikiLeaks, claiming the whistleblowers’ site has become too focused on the personal tribulations of its founder, Julian Assange. A statement posted on the Anonymous Twitter account, AnonymousIRC, described WikiLeaks as “the one man Julian Assange show” after the website began asking users to pay for access to millions of leaked documents. [guardian]
Eric Clapton pockets £21.3m for record sale of Richter painting – The bidding for Abstraktes Bild (809-4) lasted just five minutes, but that was long enough for the value to be pushed up to the highest ever paid for a work by a living artist. Auctioneers had expected the abstract oil on canvas from the guitarist’s personal collection to fetch around £10million. Clapton can expect another windfall next month, when his platinum-cased Patek Philippe watch goes under the hammer at Christie’s in Geneva. Auctioneers believe the timepiece could fetch £2.6million. [metro]
South Korea still king, but developing nations boosting communications – South Korea is still the communication king, but cheaper mobile broadband is giving a big boost to countries like Kazakhstan, according to an annual IT study released yesterday. Nordic countries round out the top positions in the annual report from the International Telecommunication Union, which ranks tech development. [thedaily]
Apple pays out for copying 70-year-old Swiss railway clock design without permission for its iPhone 5 – Apple, sensitive about protecting its own designs, has struck a deal to use Swiss railway operator SBB’s trademark station clock design on iPads and iPhones. SBB holds the trademark for a 1944 design by Zurich-born engineer Hans Hilfiker. The company said last month it might challenge the U.S. company after the clock appeared on a new operating system for the iPad. [dailymail]
Unmasking Reddit’s Violentacrez, The Biggest Troll on the Web – Last Wednesday afternoon I called Michael Brutsch. He was at the office of the Texas financial services company where he works as a programmer and he was having a bad day. I had just told him, on Gchat, that I had uncovered his identity as the notorious internet troll Violentacrez (pronounced Violent-Acres). “It’s amazing how much you can sweat in a 60 degree office,” he said with a nervous laugh. [gawker]
Pippa turns down showbiz career for Kate – Pippa Middleton has ended her dreams of a showbiz career in the US for fear of embarrassing her sister, Britain’s Duchess Catherine. The 29-year-old brunette has received several interview offers on American talk shows but she has turned them down due to concerns she may create further unwanted publicity for Catherine – known as Kate Middleton prior to her and Prince William’s wedding in April last year – following the recent publication of topless photographs of the duchess. [channel24]
Russell Crowe And Danielle Spencer Split – Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has split from his wife of nine years, Danielle Spencer. The actor and his musician wife have separated, with Crowe throwing himself into work as a result of the devastating break-up. Crowe and Spencer have two children together, Charles and Tennyson, aged eight and six. The decision is said to have been amicable with Crowe and Spencer committed to protecting their boys at this tough time. Crowe is in the US filming the biblical epic Noah, while Spencer remains in Sydney with their sons. [smh]

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COMING UP TODAY
Hot Water Acoustic Session – Easily one of the most exciting musical projects to come out of SA, Hot Water, will be performing an acoustic session on the Just Josie Show at 13h00 today. [justjosie]
Derek Watts (Dezza) With Bailey Schneider – We can’t contain our excitement at the fact that Bailey Schneider will be interviewing Derek Watts for a full hour on 2oceansvibe Radio today at 14h00. Regular 2oceansvibers will know that we’re huge Derek Watts fans here at the Vibe. We’ve learnt plenty from the great Dezza over the years so tune in from 14h00-15h00 to hear what he has in store for us today. [baileyschneider]
FRESH PODCASTS
The Biz Takeouts Marketing & Media Radio Show featured John Cooney, managing director for Red & Yellow School of Logic and Magic. Cooney has over 40 years industry experience, primarily in the advertising, marketing and media industries. He is a “suit” by inclination and has been involved in media representation, merchandising and promotional management and, for most of his time, in account and agency management. They discuss Red & Yellow School history and future, the impact of the Quirk Merger and The courses offered at Red & Yellow. [podcast]
How To Stretch Your Medical Savings – Many people don’t really understand how their medical aid schemes work, and therefore don’t optimize it. The first step would be to find out what they pay out of the risk side, and what they pay put of for day-to-day savings and make sure you are aware of the limits so that you stay within your budget as much as possible. If you can’t, and end up spending more than 5% of your income on medical care, you are able to claim that back from tax! [podcast]

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Monday Morning Spice | 2oceansvibe.com

NBC News and news services — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:35:09 +0000

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Internet Speed In United States Lags Behind Many Countries …

Fréderike Geerdink — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:50:07 +0000

For many low-income Americans, Internet access is a luxury they can’t afford.

Too bad they don’t live in South Korea.By the end of this year, South Koreans will have access to Internet speeds that are more than 200 times faster than what most Americans have, and they can have it for just $27 a month, or slightly more than half the average price Americans pay.

South Korea is among several countries where people can find speedier and cheaper Internet access than in the United States, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It’s also a place where nearly everyone is online. More than 94 percent of South Koreans have high-speed connections — compared with about 70 percent in the United States, according to the OECD.

As Democrats convene this week in Charlotte and outline their plan to jumpstart the economy, an important tool for implementing that strategy — high-speed Internet connectivity — is missing in the homes of millions of Americans. Many experts say a blueprint for expanding Internet access in America can be found abroad, where several countries have increased Internet adoption by regulating Internet service or declaring Internet access a legal right.

About 100 million people, or one third of the country, lack home access to broadband Internet, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A fast, reliable Web connection has become a vital platform for finding jobs, starting a small business, accessing online education, and helping Americans compete in a global economy.

One of the biggest reasons people give for not subscribing to high-speed Internet is that it’s too expensive. In 2010, the average monthly broadband bill was $40. That’s up from $34.50 in May 2008, according to surveys conducted by the FCC and Pew Research Center.

Internet providers say comparisons between the United States and other countries are flawed. But consumer groups argue that other countries offer better deals — and have greater levels of Internet adoption — because there is more competition in the market. Experts say the FCC should create policies which would ensure more companies compete to provide Internet service and keep prices low.

HuffPost Live will be taking a comprehensive look at the persistence of poverty in America Sept. 5 from 12-4 p.m. EDT and 6-10 p.m. EDT. Click here to check it out — and join the conversation.

Here are five countries where Internet access is faster and cheaper than in the United States, according to the OECD:

Korea
South Korea has long boasted some of the world’s fastest and most accessible Internet. More than 94 percent of South Koreans have high-speed connections. In addition, the South Korean government has pledged to give its citizens access to 1 Gigabit per second Internet by the end of this year — a speed more than 200 times faster than the average household connection in the United States. “South Korean homes now have greater Internet access than we do,” President Barack Obama said during his 2011 State of the Union address.

Finland
In 2010, Finland became the first country in the world to make broadband Internet access a legal right for all citizens. That’s right: every one of the country’s 5.3 million people will have guaranteed access to a high-speed Internet connection. Meanwhile, in the United States, about 19 million people have no access to high-speed Internet where they live. Finland isn’t stopping there. It plans to make lightning fast 100-megabit broadband service a legal right by the end of 2015.

Sweden
Swedish broadband is twice as fast and costs one-third the price of broadband in the U.S., according to a study by the New America Foundation. In 2007, a 75-year-old woman from central Sweden made headlines when she was given the world’s fastest internet connection. She could download a full high-definition DVD in just two seconds.

Japan
Japan has some of the cheapest Internet connections in the world, according to the OECD. Japan’s government has offered companies generous tax incentives to invest in fiber-optic cables.

“The Japanese think long-term,” a technology consultant told The New York Times in 2007. “If they think they will benefit in 100 years, they will invest for their grandkids. There’s a bit of national pride we don’t see in the West.”

France
“Consumer broadband prices in France
are now among the most affordable in the world,” according to a study by Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. The study attributed the low prices to regulations that allow rival Internet providers to share access to broadband infrastructure. France is also one of several countries that have declared Internet access “a basic human right.”

Also on HuffPost:
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Our Focus on Tonga Resorts Continues with the Heilala Holiday …

admin@namecake.com (John Daly) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 19:21:22 +0000

The Heilala Holiday Lodge bills itself as a place with the look of a Tonga resort, but the personal, friendly service and great value of a lodge. If you’re looking for a South Pacific holiday on a beautiful sandy beach in a traditionally designed fale (beach bungalow) with loads to see and do–from admiring the gorgeous sunsets from taking advantage of the free bikes, snorkelling, and kayaks–then the Heilala Holiday Lodge on the beaches of Haʻatafu and Kanokupolu is for you. Run by a friendly and welcoming German/Tongan couple who has been providing value and accommodation to visitors of Tonga since 1994, the new and improved Heilala Lodge has been located in this picturesque area since 2010; relocated so as to provide guests with better beaches, more activities, and more opportunities for completely Tongan activities like whale watching.
The Heilala Holiday Lodge is a great spot for a South Pacific holiday, even for those who are watching their pennies. Several great amenities are included with accommodation including a communal guest kitchen as well as a TV and game room, internet access (wifi and terminals), snorkel gear, book exchange, bikes, and even hammocks (there are one for every bungalow!) BeautifulPacific.com also offers great deals for those wishing to book a South Pacific holiday at the Heilala Holiday Lodge including a 7 Night Package (T$1,289 for two people) that includes accommodations in a Superior Fale, return airport transfers between Tongatapu Airport and Heilala, and daily island-style breakfast.

ACCOMMODATION – The Heilala Holiday Lodge breaks down their accommodation options as follows: their “‘most popular’ Superior Fale, the ‘budget conscious’ Tongan Fale, and for those ‘on a very tight travel budget’ [the] Standard room.” The Heilala fales are nestled in a beautiful botanic garden, centrally located within easy access of the communal kitchen and other activities. All fales and rooms at the Heilala have been constructed with the comfort of guests in mind, as well as the beauty of traditional Tongan design. The Superior Fale, for example, comes complete with Queen size and Single beds, ensuite bathroom, ceiling fan, and even a coffee and tea maker (wifi is also accessible from these private bungalows.) The Tongan Fale is similar to the Superior, but smaller, and with the important feature of the ensuite bathroom. Like the Tongan Fale, the Standard room comes with two single beds, and also contains a wash basin, fan, and chair.

FOOD – If you’d like to sample fresh and traditional Tongan fare on your South Pacific holiday then you can choose to dine onsite at the Heilala Lodge. Breakfast is served daily between 8 am and 9:30 am, while lunch and dinner can also be had daily (by pre order). Choices change daily and include dishes like lobster, tuna steak, chicken, beef, pork, and a seafood platter. There is also a daily vegetarian option available and there are also several other resort restaurants located within easy distance of this Tonga lodge.

ACTIVITIES – The Heilala Holiday Lodge is a great place to walk and explore, from the beach and the nearby village to the gorgeous botanical gardens. Relax on the soft sand, take in an unforgettable sunset, or try to get a glimpse of a whale if the season is right. You can also participate in snorkelling, great surfing, kayaking or bicycle rides. The staff at the lodge can also help to arrange a variety of paid activities like game fishing, sailing, island tours, scuba diving, and car rentals, if you so choose. Some nearby famous landmarks you may want to visit on your South Pacific holiday include the Abel Tasman Landing Site, the First Christian Landing Site, and the Main Flying Foxes Sanctuary.
BeautifulPacific.com has great deals on the Heilala Holiday Lodge as well as dozens of other Tonga resorts and hotels to make your South Pacific holiday dreams–even those that require a budget–a reality!

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