Tag Archives: safari
Wal-Mart is “test case” for other international businesses interested in “fast growing” African Continent by Ray Dinning, JD, LLM
Reuters reported today that “Walmart said on Monday it planned to buy South African retailer Massmart (MSMJ.J) in a $4 billion deal likely be a test case for other multinationals looking to tap rising consumer spending on the fast-growing continent.” This is true.
Many businesses, nonprofits, universities and famous people are touting the virtues of Africa and of “social entrepreneurship.” Indeed, Harvard, Yale and other prestigious institutions have created social enterprise courses for their students. President Obama is promoting an era of partnership to solve the world’s ailments including social ventures in Africa as a means to promote sustainable change. Wal-Mart must “do good” and keep its promises to promote BEE (broad based black economic empowerment) in South Africa. If they do this (and don’t act like they deserve to take over South Africa) and promote education, fair trade, good labor practices and skills training to name a few, then it will undoubtedly be good for South Africa and all of Africa.
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Wal-Mart committed to BEE in South Africa by Ray Dinning, international tax lawyer
Wal-Mart is joining the “Century of Africa” (Toronto Globe) by entering the SA Market. Ray Dinning, a tax lawyer who has been working with US businesses and nonprofits in entering the South African market since 1994, said, “Wal-Mart’s commitment to BEE (broad based black empowerment enterprise) is an excellent first step in entering the African market. So many people are in need of job skills training, social enterprise, micro finance and social ventures in South Africa that Wal-Mart’s entry into Africa will truly promote community sustainability.”
Andy Bond, Executive Vice President with responsibility for Walmart’s operations in the region, including the United Kingdom and Africa, said, “South Africa presents a compelling growth opportunity for Walmart and offers a platform for growth and expansion in other African countries. South Africa possesses attractive market dynamics, favorable demographic trends and a growing economy. We are fully aware and supportive of Massmart’s Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) program, and if the transaction is completed, we expect to continue and build on these efforts, working diligently with appropriate parties to grow skills and socio-economic development, and to be a corporate and retail role model. We also look forward to moving towards a deal with Massmart to offer their associates enhanced opportunities to grow and prosper.”
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“Bono on Africa” by Ray Dinning
Very inspiring quotes by Bono from the band – U2
“Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Jesus says that [Luke 6:30]. “Righteousness is this: that one should… give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives.” The Koran says that [2.177]. Thus sayeth the Lord: “Bring the homeless poor into the house, when you see the naked, cover him, then your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery will speedily spring fourth, then your Lord will be your rear guard.” The Jewish Scripture says that. It’s Isaiah 58 [verses 7-8] again. It’s a very powerful incentive: “The Lord will watch your back.” Sounds like a good deal to me, especially right now.” Bono Quotes
“Eight million people die every year for the price of going out with your friends to the movies and buying an ice cream. Literally for about $30 a head per year, you could save 8 million lives. Isn’t that extraordinary? Preventable disease – not calamity, not famine, nothing like that. Preventable disease – just for the lack of medicines. That is cheap, that is a bargain.”
Bono Quotes
“Even then I prayed more outside of the church than inside. It gets back to the songs I was listening to; to me, they were prayers. How many roads must a man walk down?” That wasn’t a rhetorical question to me. It was addressed to God. It’s a question I wanted to know the answer to, and I’m wondering, who do I ask that to? I’m not gonna ask a schoolteacher. When John Lennon sings, “Oh, my love/For the first time in my life/My eyes are wide open” — these songs have an intimacy for me that’s not just between people, I realize now, not just sexual intimacy. A spiritual intimacy.”
“Every age has its massive moral blind spots. We might not see them, but our children will.”
“Every era has its defining struggle and the fate of Africa is one of ours. It’s not the only one, but in the history books it’s easily going to make the top five, what we did or what we did not do. It’s a proving ground, as I said earlier, for the idea of equality. But whether it’s this or something else, I hope you’ll pick a fight and get in it.”
“I love this work I do. It’s a privilege to serve the poor,….”
“I was jumping up and down. The president deserves a lot of credit for that. He really stuck his neck out. He was right, it’s important the people know at this time what America is for as well as what America’s against. on George Bush’s announcement of increased AIDS funding for Africa.”
Amazing quotes!
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Lions Resting at Kruger – Leisure Time after structuring Social Venture by Ray Dinning JD, LLM
After a long week of work in setting up a renewable energy social venture in South Africa, I was relaxing at the Kruger National Park with world famous guide and game reserve owner – Vic Wilkens – of Simbavati Lodge in South Africa. In this video, Vic, me and my wife Sommer were in an open Landrover only 10 feet away from these 8 lions. It was breathtaking – for more reasons than one!
For assistance in setting up and structuring social ventures, contact Ray Dinning, JD, LLM at (757) 232 -2619. The initial consultantion by phone is free. Thanks for watching.
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