{pp}17 July 2007: There are just three days left to nominate extraordinary and inspirational candidates deserving of this year’s Top Women Awards. Running since 2004, the illustrious awards programme champions the significant strides made by both companies and individuals towards gender equality in South Africa.

{pp}South African transport companies received a boost last year with the launch of www.Bid2Load.com and the phenomenal response to this high-tech transport matchmaker is evidence of the need for technology driven solutions in the highly competitive transport industry.

{pp}A site inspired by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.

The power of the Internet has advanced in quantum leaps and bounds over the last few years. After estimating its impact on future business operations and realising that most businesses lack the resources of large corporations, we created BizAssist.co.za - an intelligent interactive user-friendly site dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa.

{pp}Borrowing money has become a lot more difficult due to the new National Credit Act (NCA) which came into effect last month. Aimed at stamping out unscrupulous micro-lenders, the act stipulates that lenders disclose all the information about the total cost of credit and the interest rates a consumer can expect and requires that lenders calculate loans according to the consumer's financial means rather than ignoring it and retrieving the money through court orders often financially ruining the consumer and leaving him with a lifelong financial burden.

{pp}Retail price management, or price-fixing as it more commonly known, is rife in South Africa. Large department stores are effectively controlling not only the price of fine perfumes, but where you can actually purchase them.

{pp}Many of us who start a home business do so while we are still working in another job. Our jobs provide us with a risk-free income, covering living expenses and, if we're lucky, for funding at least a portion of our business start-up costs.

{pp}After weeks of intense deliberation, South Africa’s top 100 brightest young students were announced this week by non-profit initiative Brightest Young Minds (BYM). This year’s chosen delegates are to attend a life-changing 7-day conference in Johannesburg. The much anticipated event is aimed at connecting these future SA leaders with each other while also offering networking opportunities with some of SA's most influential business leaders and visionaries. Mentors will include BHP Billiton Africa Chairman, Dr. Vincent Maphai, President of the South African Mining Development Association, Bridgette Radebe and Economic Advisor to President Mbeki, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu.

{pp}VIPs comprising high profile South African business people and politicians demonstrated encouraging solidarity around skills development and job creation, at an Awards Ceremony held recently at Wits University. The evening was hosted by The City of Joburg and Edexcel, the international awarding body, to recognise 650 call-centre operatives, who have passed the internationally recognised BTEC Level 2 qualification in Contact Centre Skills.

{pp}It is somewhat surprising that the reason for the Deputy-President’s UK trip has received little attention. What is considered to be reasonable cost for a trip by the Deputy-President? Would there have been less of an uproar if the cost had been only R1,000,000?

{pp}“Apple’s year-on-year sales in Southern Africa have literally exploded over the past 24 months, doubling CPU sales between 2004 and 2005, and then again between 2005 and 2006. Furthermore, the company also now commands over 70% of the market share in digital music players in South Africa. “We’re in the driving seat when it comes to innovation, and it’s clearly apparent that the local market here not only understands but appreciates innovation,” says Steven Davis, Head of Marketing for Apple Southern Africa.