Delta Dairies brand grows

25 January, 2009 in Botswana, Business

source: BOPA
23 January, 2009

GABORONE – Botswana’s first and only Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk- processing factory Delta Dairies under the local brand “Delta Fresh” is doing well in the market.

Its Sales and Marketing Manager Mr Ernest Bagopi said in an interview that the brand has now stabilized and local consumers now identify with the local brand and appreciate the benefits and quality of the product.

“An indication in the past has showed that Delta Fresh brand controlled about 30 per cent of the market but because of the recent positive market changes, the figure may have slightly gone up.” The demand for the product, he said is overwhelming and they are committed to increasing supply of the product to rural areas.

Currently wholesalers, retailers, chain supermarkets and the government are the main buyers.

However he said there are forces that deter the locally produced milk from entering the market like established South African and international companies who [continue reading]

City workers in Zimbabwe strike, demanding hard currency

25 January, 2009 in Zimbabwe

source: International Herald Tribune
The Associated Press
Published: January 23, 2009

HARARE, Zimbabwe: City workers in Zimbabwe’s capital began an indefinite strike Friday, demanding to be paid in hard currency.

The strikers — including mortuary attendants and trash collectors — were reporting for work but would not perform their duties, said Cosmas Bundu, head of the municipal workers union in Harare.

“We can’t afford to continue to receive our salaries in Zimbabwe currency, which is not buying anything,” Bundu said.

Last week, Zimbabwe’s central bank released a new 50 billion note in the country’s currency. It was worth only $1.25 on the black market.

Zimbabwe faces the world’s highest official inflation. The city workers join teachers, doctors, nurses and even bus drivers in demanding to be paid in U.S. dollars or South African rand. State newspapers this week started charging in U.S. dollars and even the Zimbabwe soccer federation has asked to be able to [continue reading]