Opportunities in South Africa

Diabetes: What Can You Do To Treat Foot Ulcers

2014-05-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is a disease that can have serious complications. It can affect the heart, eyesight, and it can even affect the kidney. However, one of the most common complications that diabetes can give its sufferers is the development of foot ulcers. Known as a diabetic foot ulcer this condition can lead to amputation if neglected. Basically, a foot ulcer is a wound or open sore that appears on the feet. A big percentage of diabetic sufferers is affected by this and it is important that everyone should be aware of this in order to prevent it or at least know how to treat it. Foot ulcers appear commonly on the soles of the feet. However, it can also appear on any part of the foot. This is a very serious problem for diabetics as many patients who had foot ulcers ended up requiring amputation of the affected limb. This is why diabetes is the leading causes of non traumatic limb amputation. Although any diabetic patient can develop foot ulcer, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing it. Poor blood glucose control is one factor that can increase the risk of developing foot ulcer. You have to remember that proper diabetes management requires you to constantly regulate your blood sugar level. If you fail to do so and that your blood glucose level fluctuates, then you will end up experiencing unpleasant signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which include foot ulcers. Sensory neuropathy is another factor that can increase the risk of foot ulcers in diabetics. This is when the patient loses the feeling in the feet. This is due to nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels. Long duration of diabetes can also be the cause of foot ulcers. This means that in the long run, you will likely experience getting foot ulcers. Poor circulation of blood can also lead to foot ulcers as well as foot deformity, poor foot healthcare, and inappropriate footwear. There are many causes of foot ulcers to develop. A classic example would be a diabetic with sensory neuropathy going for a long walk on new or ill fitting shoes. These shoes can be hard on the feet, which can cause chaffing. Because of the sensory neuropathy, the patient will not feel the chaffing, which then causes blisters to form, which the patient will not be aware of. Because of reduced circulation, the blister will not heal and will eventually turn in to an ulcer. Because of high blood sugar levels in the body, the ulcer is unable to heal. Combine this with continual pressure on the area, and then you have a perfect case for foot ulcer. To treat the foot ulcer, the main goal is to get the ulcer to heal as soon as possible. The faster the ulcer heals, the less chance there is that it will get infected. During treatment, preventing infection should be your goal. You can do this by regularly disinfecting the affected area. You should also remove dead skin of the wound surrounding the area as well as relieve pressure by applying pressure relieve padding on shoes. These are the things that you need to remember about foot ulcer. Foot ulcers are preventable. The key to this is to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels as well as being aware of what's going on with your body. “Learn a Little-Known, But 100% Scientifically-Proven Way To ERASE Your Diabetes in 3 SHORT weeks... ”

Diabetes Symptoms

2013-11-16T02:35:00.001-08:00

All too often we get sick but ignore the symptoms we may be feeling, shrugging them off to a cold, stress from work, or just not feeling well. There are certain symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored if they develop. These symptoms could lead to blindness, amputation of limbs, coma or even death. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often come on suddenly and are severely dramatic. The extra stress of diabetes can lead to something called diabetic ketoacidosis. Symptoms of ketoacidosis may include nausea and vomiting, which may also lead to dehydration and serious problems with the blood levels of potassium. This could lead to a diabetic coma and ultimately death. Other symptoms of diabetes may include extreme fatigue. We all get tired at times, but diabetes triggers a more severe fatigue than normal. People with diabetes also experience unexplained weight loss. This is because they are unable to process many of the calories they consume. Losing sugar and water in the urine also contributes to the weight loss. Extreme thirst is another symptom of diabetes. Diabetes develops high blood sugar levels and the body tries to compensate by diluting the blood, which translates to our brain that we are thirsty. With this is also excessive urination. It is another way our bodies have of getting rid of the extra sugar in our system. But this can also lead to dehydration. One of the hardest symptoms to deal with is poor wound healing. Wounds heal slowly, if at all when the carrier has diabetes. This along with infections that are not easily remedied can attribute to ulcers and loss of limbs. “Learn a Little-Known, But 100% Scientifically-Proven Way To ERASE Your Diabetes in 3 SHORT weeks... ”Click Here To Watch The SHOCKING Video Here...

Achieving Healthy Pregnancy Despite Diabetes

2013-11-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

Among diabetic pregnant women, the most common problem when it comes to their baby's health is the condition called "macrosomia" or having a baby with large body. This is because the blood of the mother with diabetes is interchanged with that of the baby inside the womb. As a result, the baby will produce insulin to be able to glucose and this will lead to fat deposits, which causes the baby to grown larger compared to the regular ones. What you can do For a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, it is ideal to maintain an appropriate weight gain, average consumption of various foods from different food groups, timely and prescribed vitamin and mineral supplementation, and lots of fluid intake. Sweets and fats should also be kept to a minimum level of consumption. The following are just some of the guidelines that pregnant women with diabetes can use to achieve healthy pregnancy despite the chronic disease: 1. Follow the appropriate meal plan religiously. More than ever, pregnant women should pay attention to what they eat and their eating patterns in general. This is very important because this stage—pregnancy itself—requires strict control of blood glucose levels in order to ensure that both the mother and baby are getting the right amount of key nutrients needed. In coming up with the right diet plan, it is best to seek the help of diabetes educator or a licensed dietitian to create the necessary adjustments needed to accommodate the needs not only of the fetus inside the womb but of the mother as well. In your meal plan, take note of calorie, carbohydrates and protein requirements every day because these will help you maintain normal blood glucose levels. 2. Regular Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose or SMBG. Experts say that the only way to tell if the woman is successful in controlling her blood glucose is by monitor their levels by themselves regularly. Since being pregnant is a sensitive condition, soon to be mothers should monitor their blood glucose levels more frequently. Ideally, SMBG should be monitored four to 10 times a day. 3. Knowledge in administering insulin injections and adjusting the doses based on the results of SMBG. Sufficient supply of insulin is very crucial for pregnant women so they must know how to administer insulin injections by themselves in case no one is around when they need it. They should also ask from their physician how to adjust the doses of insulin after they are through with the SBMG. Knowing how to adjust the doses of insulin needed is very important to ensure that the body's supply of insulin is stable. 4. Treating or controlling hypoglycemia. Pregnant women who are diabetics are more prone to hypoglycemia because of the hormonal changes in their body. Although studies show that there are no know effects of hypoglycemia in the baby, it is best to control or treat it as soon as possible so the soon to be mom won't be having troubles during the course of conception. 5. Maintaining regular set of exercise or physical activities. This is also very important for pregnant women with diabetes because through this they can reduce the risk of hypoglycemia as well as being overweight. Since it is hard for pregnant women to do strenuous workouts, it is best to maintain the hobby of having light exercises that will keep the body moving. “Learn a Little-Known, But 100% Scientifically-Proven Way To ERASE Your Diabetes in 3 SHORT weeks... ”Click Here To Watch The SHOCKING Video Here...

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2013-11-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

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Medications and treatments for diabetes

2013-11-05T12:23:00.001-08:00

What is sad about people who are suffering from diabetes is that many of them remain undiagnosed mainly because of lack of knowledge on the disease and lack of resources to even visit a doctor and know their real condition. In fact, more often than not, "diabetics" or the people who are suffering from diabetes only know about their condition once their bodies exhibit signs and symptoms that can no longer be ignored. These include extreme blurring of vision, excruciating pains especially in the legs, and cuts or sores that takes time to heal and worse, wounds that don’t heal at all and needs to cut to avoid other affected cells from spreading to other parts of the body. Treatment and medical options Since diabetes is a chronic disease, people who are suffering from it should be more vigilant about their health more than ever. It means that they should visit their doctors more often, maintain a healthy lifestyle and take the necessary medications or undergo needed treatments for them to stay healthy. Before taking in any medication or undergoing a specific treatment, it is a must that person knows what type of diabetes he or she is suffering from. Basically, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes wherein the person's body doesn’t have the capability to produce insulin, which is crucial for sugar to turn the food into energy; the type 2 diabetes—the most common type—restricts the person's pancreas to produce enough supply insulin for the body to use well; and the gestational diabetes which occurs among pregnant women and can lead to type 2 diabetes eventually if not monitored immediately. Experts say that people with diabetes should aim for healthy diet and getting regular exercise to control the illness. At times, there will be the need to take in some medications or undergo treatments. The following are just some of the common medications advised for people with diabetes: 1. Insulin shots. Since insufficient insulin levels in the body cause diabetes, insulin itself can solve the problem. For diabetics, insulin is very important because it lowers the blood sugar in the body by moving the sugar from the person's blood into the cells. Insulin should be taken at least two times daily to ensure that there will be stable blood sugar control. It should be taken at least 30 minutes before each meal or should be taken before one eats especially if she or he takes a fast effecting type. 2. Oral medications. People with type 1 diabetes are not advised to use oral medications since insulin shots are injected in their bodies 24/7 in order to survive. Oral medications work best to people with type 2 diabetes—especially those who have high blood sugar—because these can serve as a supplement for them. The most common oral medications include sulfonylureas which forces the pancreas to produce more insulin to lower the blood sugar levels; siguanides which helps achieve lower blood sugar by stopping the liver in producing too much sugar; metformin which helps the person lose weight which is the common cause of diabetes; thiazolidinediones which helps the cells develop higher sensitivity to insulin which moves the glucose from the blood; and meglitinides which is responsible for helping the pancreas produce more insulin immediately after each meal to effectively lower blood sugar levels. “Learn a Little-Known, But 100% Scientifically-Proven Way To ERASE Your Diabetes in 3 SHORT weeks... ”Click Here To Watch The SHOCKING Video Here...

Diabetes

2013-11-03T05:37:00.002-08:00

If you think that you are prone to diabetes, the first thing that you need to know is to understand what is the illness all about. Experts say that diabetes is a chronic disease, which develop among people who have the inability to utilize the glucose in their food to be used as energy. The illness develops when the accumulated glucose stays in the person's bloodstream for a long time. Over a period of time, this amount of glucose, can bring potential harm to the person's other organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, and even the nerves themselves. After having sufficient knowledge about it and how the disease develops, the next step is to know what kind of diabetes that are known and acknowledged by experts and physicians. Today, there are three major types of diabetes including "Type 1 diabetes," "Type 2 diabetes," and "Gestational diabetes." Knowing what they are and what sets each one apart from one other will help people who are prone to diabetes where to focus in trying to manage their condition. What type are you? Type 1diabetes otherwise known as "juvenile diabetes" or "insulin-dependent diabetes," is considered as the least common type of diabetes there is. Experts say that it is an auto-immune disease that makes the body's immune system—which serves as a shield against infection—gone not of working order, thus, savaging the cells located in the pancreas which is responsible for producing insulin. For people—especially those who are prone to diabetes—insulin is very important in breaking down the food once eaten. People who suffer from type 1 diabetes has the inability to make insulin, thus, their body's are easily damaged by the accumulate glucose in the body. Since they need insulin to get by, people who are suffering from this type of diabetes need a regular supply of insulin 24/7. Children and young adults are prone to this type of diabetes but this occur at any age or can be a result of an illness. Type 1diabetes sufferers exhibit characteristics such as onset thirst, often urination, and drastic weight loss. Next is the type 2 diabetes, which is also known as "non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" and "adult-onset diabetes". What sets it apart from the type 1diabetes is that the person suffering from this has the ability to make insulin it's just that the amount produced in not enough for the body to use it efficiently. This type is considered as the common type of diabetes, which usually develops among people who are more than 40 years of age. People who are prone to this type of diabetes are usually those who are overweight or obese and those that have sedentary lifestyle. Being a progressive disease, type 2 diabetes can also lead to more severe complications like diseases including the heart, the kidney, the eyes through blindness and amputation or loss of limbs. People who suffer from type 2 diabetes are also characterized by slow or onset thirstiness, repeated urination, and loss of weight usually develops is a span of weeks to weeks. The last type is called "gestational diabetes" which develops during pregnancy. Normally, this type of diabetes ends after giving birth but there are also those cases in some women that develop this type diabetes as they get older. Gestational diabetes, though it is common among pregnant women, should be monitored because there's a big chance of leading to type 2 diabetes. “Learn a Little-Known, But 100% Scientifically-Proven Way To ERASE Your Diabetes in 3 SHORT weeks... ”Click Here To Watch The SHOCKING Video Here...

Holiday Property in South Africa

2013-10-24T01:27:00.002-07:00

For generations, Europeans and men and women from other countries the world over have made South Africa a holiday destination. Indeed, the history of people from Europe and elsewhere around the world making long and extended holiday stays within South Africa is long and legendary. As a consequence, the market in vacation or holiday real estate in South Africa is well established. For the foreign national interested in purchasing vacation or holiday property in South Africa, the options and opportunities in regard to such property is extensive and varied. A foreign national has the ability to purchase anything from a high priced villa in a trendy resort community to a snug and tidy apartment in a sprawling urban setting to a lovely chateau in a rural area in the country. A number of foreign nationals have taken to investing in different holiday and resort properties. Indeed, foreign nationals have been active in the development of hotels, apartments and free standing dwellings that are leased or rented to people who have traveled to South Africa on holiday. Overall, this type of investment has proven to be very lucrative for many foreign nationals from different countries the world over.

Approaching Car Rental Company to Get the Best and economical Prices

2013-09-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

It is vital to recollect that when you are about to hire an automotive, most of those behind the counter people don't seem to be that good at numbers compared to their flawless client service. With a bit information of the ins and outs of the rental automotive corporations particularly their behind the scenes activity, it will be lots easier for you to approach the counter of the lease company with confidence. Here are some rules and guidelines which will assist you in situation of approaching a rental agency: Tell them what you would like This will be your first step before heading towards the rental counter. Knowing what you want and having a list or inventory of it will be extremely helpful, especially at times when you are busy or hurrying for some vital work or stuff. Moreover, knowing the kind of vehicle that you are searching and the price that you can afford to pay will make your bargaining or negotiation sleek, smooth and fast. Asking your own vehicle insurance Well, that is valid if you have got one. If you have, contact them beforehand and raise them if they still cowl you if you will drive a rental automotive. Normally, rental corporations attempt their best to supply you insurance likewise as insurance upgrades. Search the web Look for the website of your prospective and trustworthy vehicle lease company. Once you found it, do many reservations. But, confine in mind that you simply ought to reserve a less expensive and smaller automotive. You can conjointly contemplate reserving a nicer automotive model that you simply wish to rent. Go to a Lease Company After doing the preceding things visit the rental company and create your reservations or bookings. Search for the representative of the corporate and raise him a question what amount it will charge you to obtain an upgrade of your chosen automotive model. There are two potentialities here. First of all, they are aiming to offer you a rate that is a lesser amount that your reservation and second is the different manner around. If they provide you a lesser rate then grab the deal. However if the rates being offered to you are more than your reservation, then cancel your second reservation. If you are doing this, there is a high risk that the rental company ought to provide you with the lower cost. Go for the membership card Go over your membership cards or any cards that may provide you an additional offer, package, or discount. Samples of these cards are student cards, voter ID card, military service proof, and other membership card. Cost of Upgrade is absolute You need to remember this conjointly. You have to try your level best to barter or negotiate though the representative of the corporate quotes you upgrade costs that are lesser than what you have booked on-line. Being persistent during this reasonably state of affairs or situation will certainly be a plus point to you. Who knows, you may be able to seal a good deal and place the worth to a way lesser rate than it’s original. Therefore , try all these different way of approaching vehicle Rental Company and get the best economical and cheap rates.

Wildlife South Africa

2013-09-23T23:27:00.003-07:00

Best known are the mammals, and the best known of these are the famous Big Five: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Not that giraffe, hippo or whale are small ... South Africa's bushveld and savannah regions are still home to large numbers of the mammals universally associated with Africa. The Kruger National Park alone has well over 10 000 elephants and 20 000 buffaloes – in 1920 there were an estimated 120 elephants left in the whole of South Africa. The white rhino has also been brought back from the brink of extinction and now flourishes both in the Kruger National Park and the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal. Attention now is on protecting the black rhino. Both these parks are home to all of the Big Five, as are other major reserves in South Africa – such as Pilanesberg in North West province – and numerous smaller reserves and private game lodges. The big cats Aside from occupying the top rung of the predation ladder, the lion also tops the glamour stakes. Sadly, it does have one formidable enemy in humankind, which has expelled it from most of the country so that it now remains almost exclusively in conservation areas. The beautiful leopard survives in a larger area, including much of the southern Cape and far north of the country, although numbers are small in some places. The cheetah is the speed champ, capable of dashes of almost 100 kilometres an hour. Its population is comparatively small and confined mostly to the far north (including the Kruger National Park), the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape, and reserves in KwaZulu-Natal and North West province. Lesser known wildlife Other quintessentially African large animals are the hippo, giraffe, kudu, wildebeest (the famous gnu) and zebra, all frequently seen in South Africa's conservation areas. Heightened awareness, however, has created an increased appreciation of lesser known animals. A sighting of the rare tsessebe (a relative of the wildebeest) may cause as much excitement as the sight of a pride of lion. And while one can hardly miss a nearby elephant, spotting the shy little forest-dwelling suni (Livingstone's antelope) is cause for self-congratulation. On the really small scale, one could tackle the challenge of ticking off each of South Africa's seven species of elephant shrew – a task that would take one all over the country and, probably, a long time to accomplish. Over 200 mammal species With well over 200 species, a short survey of South Africa's indigenous mammals is a contradiction in terms. A few examples will help to indicate the range. In terms of appeal, primates rate highly. In South Africa they include the nocturnal bushbabies, vervet and samango monkeys, and chacma baboons which – encouraged by irresponsible feeding and under pressure through loss of habitat – have become unpopular as raiders of homes on the Cape Peninsula. Dassies (hyraxes, residents of rocky habitats) and meerkats (suricates, familiar from their alert upright stance) have tremendous charm, although the dassie can be an agricultural problem. The secretive nocturnal aardvark (which eats ants and is the only member of the orderTubulidentata) and the aardwolf (which eats termites and is related to the hyaena) are two more appealing creatures, and both are found over virtually the whole country. And for those who like their terrestrial mammals damp, there is the widely distributed Cape clawless otter, which swims in both fresh and sea water. The spotted-necked otter has a more limited territory. Both are rare, however, and difficult to spot. One mammal whose charm is recently acquired is the wild dog or Cape hunting dog, one of Africa's most endangered mammals. Once erroneously reviled as indiscriminate killers but now appreciated both for their ecological value and their remarkably caring family behaviour, wild dog packs require vast territories. They are found in small numbers in the Kruger National Park and environs, northern KwaZulu-Natal (including the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park), the Kalahari, and the Madikwe reserve in North West province. More common canine carnivores are the hyaena, jackal and bat-eared fox. Feline carnivores – besides the big cats mentioned above – include the caracal with its characteristic tufted ears, the African wild cat and the rare black-footed cat. Other flesh eaters include the civet, genet and several kinds of mongoose. The plant eaters are well represented by various antelope, from the little duiker to the large kudu and superbly handsome sable antelope, which is found only in the most northerly regions. Mammals take to the air, too: South Africa is well endowed with bat species. Marine mammals and fish And they take to the sea. The largest mammal of all – in South Africa and the world – is the blue whale, which can grow to 33 metres in length. But of the eight whale species found in South African waters (including the dramatic black-and-white killer whale), the most frequently seen by humans is the southern right whale. This imposing creature comes into coastal bays to calve, allowing for superb land-based viewing. The southern right whale represents one of conservation's success stories. Once considered the "right" whale to hunt, its population became so depleted that it was designated a protected species. With the greater familiarity that their return to the coastal bays has produced, they are now as well loved as the many dolphins in our coastal waters. South Africa's seas are rich in fish species. Perhaps the most awesome of these is the great white shark, but this is only one of more than 2 000 species, comprising 16% of the world's total. Various line fish, rock lobster and abalone are of particular interest to gourmets, while pelagic fish (sardines and pilchards) and hake have large-scale commercial value. Read more:http://www.southafrica.info/about/animals/wildlife.htm#.UkEwKtJHKzE#ixzz2fmyBkDTt

Make Extra Money Online With An Internet Business Or Working At Home

2013-09-22T12:37:00.002-07:00

Prices for everything seem to go up every month, and when your salary or wages come, it is becoming harder and harder to make ends meet. What with the petrol price hikes, and interest rate increases, higher food prices .... and the list goes on.! How do South African consumers earn enough money to feed their families and maintain their households, when everything is going up except their salaries? The answer lies in earning extra money, and this can be done online! This make money online website for South Africa is dedicated to helping serious South African entrepreneurs achieving the dream of working from home, whether through building an internet business, or real work from home business that you can start at home! Although we do our best to select the top ways to make money in South Africa using the internet sometimes certain offers may not deliver the results that are hoped for! Mums and dads that want real home based businesses that can be started wwith a small investment, will find excellent solutions by visiting the links below. In addition to this, there are some top class offers for building a real internet business for South Africans to make money online. Many people that have full time jobs can start a home based business opportunity part time, and once the business is earning enough money to support their family, they can do it full time and be their own boss. South Africans should start realizing that making money online is for real and all you need to do is invest in the right type of internet business and follow through with it. what you should also know is that making money online programs from vendors are first checked for integrity before they are listed on reputable suppliers websites, like Clicksure, Clickbank, Paypal, and Paydot.com for examples. There are also many different types of home based business ideas on the internet to choose from, which makes it possible to find something to suit anyones tastes, and for the amount you wish to invest in your business. No matter what business you ultimately choose, make sure to give it the effort it requires and most importantly time to start earning you a profitable income, and build up a smart passive income by doing so. South Africa work from home business opportunities should offer you the right guides and tools, and if they do, then it is possible for a person to make really good money on the internet! It is a good idfea to invest in solid home based business training if you want to fast track your way to work from home success. Alternatively find a ready set up internet business make money online program that offers you everything you need to start earning in a shorter period of time.should you decide to begin a mini business from your home in your spare time. You can build your home based business up over time until it earns enough to cover your salary or wages paycheck, so that you can ultimately quit your job and achieve the dream of being your own boss. When choosing any business opportunity it is vital to read all the information carefully first or if there are videos take time to watch them completely. When you are satisfied it is suitable for what you want to do to make money online, then you can join it with confidence!

‘Fun and affordable’ 2010 accommodation

2009-12-01T22:03:00.001-08:00

Urban Hip Hotels has announced ‘fun and affordable’ 2010 accommodation for the young at heart.

The hotel group will manage over 9 000 rooms on South African university campuses for the duration of the World Cup in all three major cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – next year from June 6 to July 15.

A statement from the group said the accommodation was secure, affordable and “most of all, festive and vibey”. “Groups, clubs or singles will make the most of the furnished rooms and access to catering, entertainment and sporting facilities.”

Visitors will be able to ‘catch’ World Cup fever at the campus entertainment zones, set to stage all World Cup matches on wide-screen televisions. Other attractions include beer tents, live entertainment and food stalls.

For more information visit www.campus2010.co.za

KwaZulu Natal

2009-09-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

Over the past decade, the tourism industry in South Africa has grown beyond the expectations of even the most optimistic trend analyst. In fact, for the past eleven successive years, overseas visitor-arrival numbers have continued to increase, growing at a compound rate of no less that 17.5% per annum.

There is no doubt, the KwaZulu-Natal province plays an integral role in this success story, making a significant contribution to these positive statistics. There is something about this warm and friendly province which continues to draw tourists from all around the globe. World class beaches, majestic mountain ranges and a rich cultural history, are just some of the diverse attractions which keep visitors coming back.

The St Lucia region offers a perfect example; representing an area of immense tourism potential, underpinned by a wealth of natural and cultural resources. These include a pristine coastline, classic African game parks, the southern most coral reefs in Africa and rich indigenous cultural traditions.

Fortunately, this unique tourism opportunity has been recognised and the governments of Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland are launching tourism investment programmes with a scale and grandeur unparalleled in Africa. One of these developments is known as the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative.

The Lubombo region straddles southern Mozambique, eastern Swaziland and northern KwaZulu-Natal and, for the first time, provides access to some of the most picturesque and unspoiled natural attractions which the continent has to offer. At the heart of this spectacular area, nestles the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, listed last year as a World Heritage Site. This region is currently enjoying the biggest and most prolonged tourism boom in its history.

Recognising the opportunities offered by this robust growth, several exclusive groundbreaking tourism investment projects have been developed. One of the sites chosen and packaged is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Attractions, ranging from beach resorts to boutique hotels and game lodges, are being designed to help establish the Lubombo region as a tourism destination of international repute.

Until now, the region's inaccessibility has inhibited extensive development.
This hurdle has been overcome with new major and secondary roads currently being constructed as part of the Lubombo Initiative.

To date, some R630-million has been committed to a range of projects, including regional support networks (new roads and the upgrading of the major national access route); park infrastructure (game fences, internal road networks and tourism facilities) and the restocking of the park. Various regional programmes also include a major new malaria eradication drive.

These improvements are being implemented in different phases over the next three years. The resulting infrastructure will create a flow of job opportunities for people in the area, ensuring there is a long term future for the Lubombo region.

The Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is an important programme for the prosperity of tourism in KwaZulu-Natal. It demonstrates the enormous potential of the province and the commitment shown, from both government and business, to effectively utilise and manage the natural assets that the country has to offer.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

2009-09-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

The underlying appeal of the V&A Waterfront is its magnificent setting. Table Mountain and Table Bay provide the perfect natural surroundings for this exciting and vibrant V&A Waterfront which is always alive with the buzz of visitors. Within the Cape Town Waterfront there are a host of activities and the world famous Two Oceans Aquarium. If you are in Cape Town you can not miss out on visiting the V&A Waterfront. This is one of the most popular things to do in Cape Town.

Two Oceans Aquarium

2009-08-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

The Two Oceans Aquarium is one the top things to do in Cape Town. The Cape Town aquarium offers everyone the chance to take a glimpse into our Oceans and gain some insight into how magnificent our Oceans really are. The Two Oceans Aquarium is great for kids and offers them a host of activities to entertain and educate them about the Ocean. But, the Cape Town Aquarium is for everyone. The Two Oceans Aquarium is a must visit attraction situated in the V&A Waterfront.

Table Mountain Cableway

2009-08-24T03:55:00.001-07:00

The Table Mountain Cableway allows you to zip up the front face of Table Mountain and experience breathtaking views of Cape Town and the scenic peninsula. The Table Mountain Cable car rotates as you ascend the mountain. At the summit there many viewpoints, a restaurant, cocktail bar, souvenir shop and summit room. Cape Town weather can force the Table Mountain Cableway to close down temporarily, but when the Cape Town weather is fine, take this memorable trip up the Table Mountain Cableway. If the Cable Car is closed for the day there are many other things to do in Cape Town.

Robben Island

2009-08-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

This is a must, when considering things to do in Cape Town. Robben Island, Cape Town is where Nelson Mandela and numerous other political prisoners spent many years imprisoned by the old South African government. The Robben Island Museum Tours Department now conducts tours to Robben Island, Cape Town's World Heritage Site. The tour includes the boat ride to Robben Island, a tour of the Robben Island Museum and prison, and a bus trip around the remainder of Robben Island.

Penguin at Boulders Beach,

2009-08-16T23:54:00.001-07:00

Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town is the location of the penguin sanctuary in Cape Town. The protected penguin reserve is a popular local attraction and is looked after by the Table Mountain National Park. The Boulders Beach Penguin sanctuary has a walkway which allows you to view the Cape Town penguins without disturbing them. There is also a fantastic little swimming beach just a bit down from the penguin sanctuary, which is very popular for families looking for things to do in Cape Town.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

2009-08-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a huge natural asset to the Cape Town region. The gardens are a place of natural beauty and tranquillity. The well kept lawns are great for picnics after you have explored the magnificent trees, plants and rivers that are within the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The Kirstenbosch Gardens have a great visitor centre, nursery, tea garden and restaurants. In summer the Kirstenbosch summer concerts are extremely popular things to do in Cape Town. Have a look at our Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts Guide for concert details.

Cape Point Nature Reserves

2009-08-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Cape Point Nature Reserve is right at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. The reserve has incredible natural beauty and can be explored on foot or from the comfort of your vehicle. There are even a few Cape Town beaches situated within the Cape Point Nature Reserve. At the tip of the Cape Town nature reserve you are treated to towering cliffs on either side of you, as you look out over the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. There are many things to do within the Cape Point Nature Reserve and you can quite easily spend a couple of days exploring this reserve.

Cape Town Beaches

2009-08-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Cape Town Beaches
Cape Town beaches have soft, white sand, great surrounding scenery and mountainous backdrops. There are a number of Cape Town beaches which are very popular but there are loads of other great Cape Town beaches all over the peninsula. The Uncover the Cape, Cape Town beach guide currently has 22 great beaches in Cape Town, helping you to discover all the beaches in Cape Town. When looking for things to do in Cape Town finding a great beach to visit ranks right up there with the best things to do in Cape Town.

Stay Easy Hotel opens in Witbank

2009-07-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Southern Sun has announced the opening of the 135-room StayEasy Emalahleni in Witbank this month, aimed at business and leisure travellers.

Accommodation options include double or twin-bed configurations and all rooms contain flat-screen televisions with selected DStv channels, air-conditioning and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Business facilities at the hotel include meeting rooms and wireless Internet hotspots and workstations. In addition the hotel is conveniently located with access from the N4 that connects Gauteng with Mpumalanga.

It is situated on the Ridge Casino premises, adjacent to the Highveld Mall, and guests can also visit the nearby dining, casino and entertainment complex.

Accommodation at the StayEasy Emalahleni is available from R695, including a continental breakfast.

Southern Sun has five StayEasy hotels in South Africa – Emnotweni in Nelspruit, Century City in Cape Town, Eastgate, Pretoria and Rustenburg. StayEasy Pietermaritzburg is under construction.

The Real Estate Market in South Africa

2009-07-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

includes - unlike Namibia - farms and agricultural land. Due to the favourable exchange rate, property in South Africa is affordable. For example, a house in a good area of Cape Town, with a swimming pool and a big garden, costs hardly more than $US 250,000. Apartments are offered for less than $US100,000. In other areas, such as the province of KwaZulu-Natal., it is even cheaper. The Cape region is regarded as the safest place for an investment in property, as there is still a strong influx of buyers from the Johannesburg area, which keeps the prices up. The Garden Route is a growth area as well.

Real estate Agents
The property market in the whole country is firmly in the hands of a few estate agencies. Private sales are relatively rare. In South Africa the agent is paid by the seller, so you can readily turn to an agency (see the real estate info page), if you are interested in buying property. When it comes to signing a contract or an offer to purchase, the agent will look after the required legal proceedings.

Market Survey
To get an idea of the market situation, one has to have a critical look at the available properties in the preferred area. The big newspapers (e.g. Cape Argus) publish a big property section every weekend, where you can find almost all the places for sale, advertised with photos. Many houses are "on show" on Sundays, which means you can view them without a previous appointment.

The Big Hole in Kimberley

2009-06-25T02:54:00.000-07:00

The Big Hole is situated in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. It is the biggest man-made structure in South Africa. Kimberley was known for diamonds and that is the reason we have the Big Hole, it was the biggest mining activity in South Africa

This mining activity happended some 120 years ago and today the Big Hole is a Tourist attraction in Kimberley.

The Kimberley Mine site started on or about 16 July 1871 and by 14 August 1914 all mining activities ceased. By that time it had yielded 2 722 kilograms of diamonds extracted from 22,5 million tons of excavated earth. Today the Big Hole is surrounded by original old buildings from days gone by, relocated from their earlier sites to form a magnificent open air museum.

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2009-06-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

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Cape Town Accommodation

2009-06-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

Cape Town has a wide variety of accommodations Establisments that suite every pocket. Accommodation range from different star gradings, and few days ago I came across this website which is about a group of guest house in one area that came together and they came up with the idea of being able to help people that might be travelling in groups and maybe not being able to be accommodated in one Establishment

For further information, you are welcome to check them them out on http://www.capetown-connections.com/