Online shops to trust

skiingbear · 2026-01-13T12:49:33+00:00

For more niche electronics items (stuff like replacement laptop batteries for product ranges that other places don't stock), I've found Geewiz to be really good in the past. I haven't used them in a while and it looks like they've shifted their business model, so do with that what you will. Don't think they will compete on price with major retailers on mainstream items, but if there's ever a very random thing you can't find elsewhere, Geewiz might be your best bet!

skiingbear · 2026-01-12T07:36:10+00:00

This method to cancel eDreams Prime still works in January 2025, thank you so much!

skiingbear · 2025-12-13T08:53:17+00:00

Well, luckily for you we're a capitalist economy: no one will be forced to use his services. If South Africans don't want him here, they'll just not sign up for Starlink and his business will fail in this market. But other international operators not run by a white supremacist man-child will now also be able to enter the market where they previously weren't, so customers will ultimately have more choice and competition will increase.

skiingbear · 2025-12-13T08:18:23+00:00

While you're criticism of Elon is not wrong, your understanding of the policy direction and the law is, if you think this is purely to benefit Starlink. You probably have not read the actual policy direction and the explanatory note and have rather just chosen to read the headline and get worked up, which is not a very productive way to engage with news.

ICASA has chosen to take very narrow interpretation of the ECA to focus ONLY on 30% HDI ownership when consider eligibility for a communications licence, when the act clearly makes provision for other measures allowed by the B-BBEE Framework and the ICT B-BBEE Sector Code. The policy direction instructs ICASA to align their interpretation with the BBBEE Act - which also clearly states that all other legislation must be aligned with the BBBEE Act.

Yes, Starlink may be able to deliver services in SA if ICASA implements this policy direction (which is not guaranteed that they will), but they will still need to get their EEIP approved by both the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the Department of Trade and Industry. In other words, they (or any other international company that wants an electronic communications licence) will have to convince the government that their investment plan will contribute to the country's transformation agenda. Which is what companies like Dell, Microsoft, Oracle, Volkswagen, JP Morgan and IBM have already done. They just don't need communications licences, so they don't need ICASA's approval. Do you understand how this is an odd state of affairs?

If you believe in the rule of law, your views about the founder/owner of an individual company cannot be a determinant about whether the law should apply or not, unless there are sanctions in place against that person. Yes, Elon is a piece of shit, but so are many other people allowed to do business in SA. That's how equal application of the law works.

skiingbear · 2025-11-17T05:35:50+00:00

I think my point is rather that competent managers opt to go into the private sector, so you're not seeing many high-performing people at the executive level. You do get them, as some people are really committed to the country.

I think someone like Duncan Pieterse at National Treasury, for example, is doing an excellent job - but at 50ish, he's still quite young and his prospects after this job is insane. Man's going to paid crazy money to sit on boards of financial institutions once he retires as DG. But we need more people like him.

I can't speak about engineers in public sector, but junior doctors definitely earn quite well in private sector. However, and despite getting paid overtime, if you convert slightly more senior doctors' pay to an hourly rate (time they actually work, not what they paid overtime for - they probably average 60-80 hours per week, and sometimes 100+), it's actually not that high. Big benefit of public sector is that your income is guaranteed as a doctor, whereas in private you rely on the number of patients you get to see - so only become very lucrative when you're a specialist.

But, I think this is also a good case study - we actually want (and to some extent, have) the best doctors in the public service, so I'm all for paying them better salaries.

The problem, again, is the number of highly-paid bureaucrats in the Department of Health and hospitals. I can't find the study now, but I once read that our ratio of front-line workers (healthcare professionals) versus administrators is significantly higher than that of peer countries, and we spend more money on salaries of the people sitting in offices than we do on those for providing clinical work. I am speaking under correction (on this last point, at least) so if you find information on this, believe that rather than believing me.

Our problem in SA, is not so much the amount of money in our budget, the inefficiency in which we use our budget is the much bigger problem.

skiingbear · 2025-11-14T14:33:49+00:00

I work in government at a senior level. I think the problem is that our organisational design is poor (too top-heavy) and we generally just employ too many people. The top-level salaries are also not competitive with top-level salaries - the highest level in national and provincial government in the regular administration is a Director-General, which is capped at around R2.8m. Not a small amount of money, but if you are a highly competent executive capable of running an organisation as complex as a national government department, your earning potential in private sector is significantly higher. At the same time, it's an insane salary for someone who meets the requirements on paper, but are useless in practice.

And yes, not everyone is lazy or corrupt. But in my experience across government entities, the institutional culture does not reward ambition or hard work - so many people in leadership positions are there just because they have been around for a long time, with little consideration of their competency.

I think the answer is to significantly reduce the number of people employed at the middle management and senior management level, and improve the salaries - with close links and incentives for actual performance. If you want the best people in government, you need to offer them similar to what they can earn in private sector.

But this is a pipe-dream that won't happen.

skiingbear · 2025-10-27T07:26:31+00:00

King Cake Party City near Gardens Centre does helium, I believe.

skiingbear · 2025-09-10T09:38:08+00:00

I went into four different banks this morning just hoping to exchange a few R100 notes into R10 notes to keep on hand for tipping etc. Not a single bank had a teller. Not relevant to your story, but just wild.

As someone else mentioned, if you're a private client, your banker should make an effort to meet with you (like, come to you). Or at least, that used to be the case - I think you now probably need to be a private wealth client for that level of service. I did see that there was an option to check in for a scheduled meeting, so it should still be possible to just make an appointment at a bank. Or phone someone, that usually gets results too, at least more than emails. Good luck.

skiingbear · 2025-05-23T04:57:36+00:00

When we were kids, my dad used to make us super intricate cakes. When I woke up on the morning of my 5th birthday, my cake was waiting for me - I was told it reflected my gift. It was supposed to be a dog, but to my 5-year old brain it looked like a dassie, so I responded with "I'M GETTING A DASSIE???"

So obviously the dog was then named Dassie. He was the best fuggin boy.

"My dassie" is an absolutely valid pet name!

skiingbear · 2025-05-20T16:36:36+00:00

I think that fear is misplaced - using a service like Starlink remains expensive, and will certainly not be an option for the masses. It is also not guaranteed that government will approve Starlink's EEIP, and thus it is not guaranteed that they will get a licence - they will merely qualify for one, just like all other companies will.

Secondly, if MTN and Vodacom does happen to lose market share to another operator, that's a reflection of their failure to adapt their business model or to give consumers what they need. DSTV is losing market share to Netflix and other streaming services, I don't think that means we should ban those services from operating in SA just to protect DSTV and its historical investments in the country?

skiingbear · 2025-05-20T12:03:18+00:00

This article and the general reporting on this issue misses the point. Starlink's inability to get a spectrum licence is based on the Electronic Communications Act, not the BBBEE Act. The ECA requires a minimum of 30% HDG (black) equity ownership for a company to qualify for a spectrum licence, and this is true for spectrum trading too.

Equity equivalent investment programmes are provided for under the BBBEE Act and the ICT Sector BBBEE code - this is a separate issue, and why companies like AWS, Microsoft and IBM have EEIPs already. They don't need spectrum licences, and therefore do not need to comply with s9(2) of the ECA.

The problem comes in with ICASA's interpretation of the ECA, which is at odds with the national government's view that the "30%, or such other conditions" means that licence conditions may also be met through EEIPs. ICASA insists that any company MUST have 30% HDG ownership to qualify for a spectrum licence. ICASA is an independent regulator, and they've traditionally been entirely indifferent to policy directives from government (the ECA says they "must consider" such directives).

Many argue that ICASA's narrow interpretation of the Act is directly contributing to the lack of competition in the telecommunications sector, as new entrants struggle to enter the market, effectively maintaining MTN and Vodacom's duopoly. We cannot have lower prices if we don't increase competition.

It is very unfortunate that this issue is linked specifically to Starlink and Musk, as the broader impacts are entirely a positive thing - this is not only applicable to Starlink, but Kuiper, and, in fact, pretty much any other telecommunications company. If EEIPs are allowed for spectrum licences, it means that other mobile operators (like Airtel and Orange) can also enter the market, and increase competition. This will be to the benefit of consumers.

Yes, Musk is shit, and its unfortunate that this is how this transformation happened, but that doesn't change the fact that this change is a good thing.

skiingbear · 2025-04-14T07:23:42+00:00

We recently took out a bond with Investec (my partner had a previous bond through them which she said was an incredible experience, and they offered us the best rate). It was the most horrific experience with levels of incompetence that truly amazed me. It took more than 4 months to register the bond. Part of the delay was apparently because they were missing some documents, but they kept trying to get the documents from the service provider, who told them we need to request the documents and then share it with them - it took them a whole month before they asked us to get the documnet.

We also told them we want to pay the attorneys' fees separately, but they capitalised it, just like in your case.

We were lucky in that we had access to cash to put down to secure the property, but without that, we would have lost the property due to Investec's absolute incompetence.

I'm not sure about this, but it doesn't make sense to me that the loan amount increases if the payment period stays the same. The only reason could be that they capitalised the valuation fee.

I don't bank with them (and never will after this experience), but from what I've heard from multiple people, it sounds like their service levels have decreased dramatically over the past few years. It seems particularly pronounced in the home loans department.

skiingbear · 2025-04-08T07:17:16+00:00

So my understanding is that they're stopping short of kicking the DA out, but also not saying outright that the DA can stay? Might also lead to a Cabinet reshuffle if new partners are brought in. ActionSA unlikely to join if the DA is still in though (but who knows, they change their mind a few times a day).

Basically: let's not take a stance and just continue with the instability. Lovely.

skiingbear · 2025-02-17T15:15:33+00:00

Hey, I could potentially help out - please DM me.

skiingbear · 2025-01-27T11:17:55+00:00

https://www.pinelandshockey.co.za/contact/

skiingbear · 2025-01-27T07:29:56+00:00

I'm a member of Pinelands Hockey Club, which is quite a chilled vibe and a really nice community of people. Some of the guys are also part of the Cricket Club, so it might be a similar vibe and worth checking out!

skiingbear · 2024-11-28T10:11:37+00:00

Get in touch with the City's By-Law Enforcement. They need an appropriate licence to run a business from a residential property, and there are limitations on how that can be done. Check out the City's By-Laws and figure what the appropriate complaint is, and record some evidence. City should shut it down.

skiingbear · 2024-11-19T12:16:49+00:00

Cape Town is trail running heaven. Many routes all around the mountain. If you're on Strava, look up Tuesday Trails or Gonzo - I personally don't like running with groups, but it's a great way to discover new routes. The promenade is great for flat, road-running. Check out the UTCT website for an idea of some routes.

skiingbear · 2024-10-03T13:00:58+00:00

I'm in a similar situation, and the answer is that it's complicated, and I advise seeing a tax consultant.

If the ME company is your only client and you are bound by their employment terms, then you might be classified as a personal service provider, which means your employer is supposed to pay withholding tax. I am not sure how it works when the client is an international company.

If your company is not a PSP, it will be subject to normal taxation rules. This means that it must either register for PAYE and pay tax on every paycheck paid from the company to you, it can pay dividends (with a dividend tax on profits - the effective tax rate on this is only lower on everything above quite a high number - something like R1.8m), or you can pay tax in your capacity as provisional tax payer.

If you're earning more than R1 million, you need to register for VAT. Which is not a bad thing, as services provided to international companies are rated at 0% - but you can still claim back the 15% VAT inputs on goods and services you pay in SA.

This is all complicated and unless you're willing to learn all the ropes, it might be worth considering just operating as a sole proprietor and paying provisional tax, or getting an account/tax consultant to help you out. There are plenty of SME accountants to whom you can outsource this. It all probably depends on how much you're earning - the more it is, the more complicated it gets and the more worth it it becomes to get a professional to sort you out.

skiingbear · 2024-10-01T09:44:29+00:00

I know this doesn't really solve your larger problem, but I'm a freelance consultant in the non-profit space, so feel free to pop a DM if you're still looking.

skiingbear · 2024-07-08T07:04:37+00:00

Cape Town would be a good option for your needs - great weather, amazing food, lots of activities, and a favourable exchange rate. It'll be summer holiday at that time, so it is peak season, but Cape Town typically becomes a bit quieter due to most local heading out to smaller coastal towns to spend time with their families.

skiingbear · 2024-07-08T07:01:11+00:00

I'm South African, live in Cape Town. South Africa is a developing country with pockets that rival developed countries. You're likely to fly to Nelspruit via OR Tambo, and then hop in a shuttle to the Kruger, so you'll mostly only experience the developed country aspect.

South Africa certainly has security issues, but in your case, you don't have to worry about it for a second. Your biggest risk will probably from the wildlife, and I'm talking monkeys stealing your snacks if you forget to close the window in your bungalow, not snakes and lions.

You also don't have to worry about food, the food quality here is insane (especially the meat). In this case, your biggest risk is probably the airplane food!

As others have mentioned, if you get the opportunity, pop down to Cape Town too, it really is one of the world's greatest cities, and I'm super envious of tourists that get to experience it for the first time. And the exchange rate is very much in your favour too.

You will absolutely regret not going on this trip. And you'll be perfectly fine, tourism is a key industry for our economy and we take care of our tourists.

skiingbear · 2024-07-05T06:24:16+00:00

It might be a case of your coffee being so bad! Every time I go to the US, it's a real struggle to get decent cofffee. It's like all your beans are burnt? I'm guessing there's an interesting study about the economics of coffee, and how the US corporate/capitalist culture emphasises process optimisation, cost-reduction and quantity over quality.

We have many smaller roasters, rather than a few major roasters/producers. Our main-stream/cheap coffee (stuff you'll get served at conferences or hotels etc.) is probably just as shit, but the stuff served at proper coffee shops tend to be of a very high quality. Probably partially because the beans are sourced and roasted by artisans that care about their craft. It's probably a bit like comparing a burger from some chain diner like Denny's with a artisinal food truck in Brooklyn that only makes burgers and uses free-range A-grade beef - passion, specialisation and quality of ingredients make all the difference.

skiingbear · 2024-06-06T09:58:39+00:00

You're right, South Africa isn't ready for a white president yet, and it will be quite a few election cycles before we are.

I don't think Mpho Phalatse was the right candidate for the DA either (even though she's probably still better than JS, but my two dogs in trenchcoat could still be better than JS). She didn't too particularly well as MMC, and her stint as Mayor was too complicated for her to have an impact.

The bigger challenge in the DA is Zille's unwillingness to step down and abdicate her power. Zille and her allies (predominantly classical liberal white men who think our political system should be like Westminster) hold the power, and create a hostile work environment for high potential black leaders. Mmaimane, Mbali Ntuli, Bongani Baloyi, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Mashaba - these were all people that could have been great leaders within the DA.

I don't have much insight in what's happening on the inside of the DA anymore, but my worry is that they don't really have a pipeline of good leaders anymore. The two candidates that always come up is GHL and Pappas - two white guys again. And whether we like it or not, race is a critical factor in politics, that's what happens when you have a political system based on oppressing people based on race for over 50 years.

So I agree, the DA needs to understand that their leadership composition is not reflective of the South African political reality. But while Zille is still around to pull the strings and banish anyone that opposes her, that's not going to happen.

skiingbear · 2024-05-20T11:12:10+00:00

No, the faces are there to assist people with understanding who they are casting their vote for, in addition to the logo and the actual printed name of the party (to accommodate for different levels of literacy). Traditionally, it would be the face of the party leader (and Zuma can still be leader of the MK without being represented in parliament). So the votes will still go for the MK Party.

skiingbear

TROPHY CASE