2009 was the year of Seacom. Now that it’s been ready and rumbling for a few months, will its impact continue into the new year?
For months Africa’s IT professionals and analysts expressed both uncertainty and enthusiasm over the effect that the Seacom fibre optic cable would have on ADSL broadband and other factors which previously prohibited internet access in Africa.
Seacom, which became operational at the end of July 2009, effectively links South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda to Europe and Asia, connecting the African countries to the global broadband network.
In this age of shipping agents and commercial flying, the criminally-inclined have many opportunities to expand their shady conduct beyond dry land and into sea and sky.
The process of transport has become somewhat complicated over the years. Living in the 21st century comes with perks like aircon and Facebook, sure, but we are forced to confront a whole new level of badass that our pre-Enlightenment counterparts could only have dreamed of.
Some centuries back it became convention to not spend ones’ whole life on the same land mass in the same village, and air and sea travel are now common practice among our species.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa) predicts an increase of 6.5% in sales of new cars for 2010 as global credit markets begin to thaw. The local economy has officially moved out of recession but activity is still slow as households and businesses continue to spend carefully.
Car dealers, manufacturers and motor industry executives in South Africa anticipate the release of the complete sales statistics for 2009 later today. Figures released for November 2009 indicate a 27% decline in new car sales compared to November 2008. December is usually the slowest car sales month of the year and the numbers released today are likely to indicated further decline.
