competition

South Africa's ostrich industry may have had its wings clipped by international competitition, but experts say the country can maintain its dominant position in the global market - and that the industry presents a key opportunity for emerging farmers.

Sixteen milk cans, transformed into works of art by well-known South African artists, have been auctioned in Cape Town to raise money for a charity that feeds over 86 000 children a day.

By its nature, rugby is bound to capture the imagination. It's a game for big, powerful athletes, and its running, bruising nature makes for a superb spectacle. South Africa's climate, not nearly as wet as in Europe's rugby-playing countries where rugby, makes for a faster running game - showcasing the excitement of the game at its best.

One of the first gifts that democracy brought South Africa was its first truly representative national soccer team. That team soon became known worldwide when Bafana Bafana - "The Boys" - captured the African Cup of Nations on home soil in 1996.

Peter Matkovich is a professional golfer of 25 years and one of South Africa's top golf course designers, having worked on 16 of the top 100 courses in the country. When it comes to golf tourism, Matkovich believes that SA is one of the fastest growing destinations in the world - and that its full potential hasn't even begun to be tapped yet.

South Africa's national carrier, SA Airways, is facing increasingly stiff competition from no-frills airlines offering budget deals to local and international fliers - the most recent player being Civair, which will offer low-budget flights direct from the UK to Cape Town and Durban later in 2004.

What are you wearing right now? South African chic or foreign shtick? Wise up. February 27 is the country's first national Design Day. D-Day. A day to celebrate, support, buy, use and wear South African design.

A group of African countries have launched the African Laser Centre, based in South Africa, to serve as a central point for coordinating a network of excellence in laser research and development across the continent.

There was not too much to shout about for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national soccer team, in 2003, but the women's side, affectionately called Banyana Banyana, can look back on a job well done. So too can the Tsetse Flies - the national under-12 team.

The 2003 Presidents Cup has been rated as one of the best-organised - and most exciting - golfing events ever. Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 majors and captain of the United States team, says he's never experienced anything as enthralling as the battle that unfolded at Fancourt near George between the USA and the International Team.