http://www.southernafricadirect.com/newsLatest entriesen-gbFri, 23 Oct 2009 12:21:005Southern Africa Direct The Tour de Kruger takes bikers on a 70-kilometre ride every day for five days, through pristine African bushveld. Where else in the world can you ride for five days through wilderness, knowing that at any moment you might encounter one of the big five? Similar tours had been previously held in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, through western Mozambique and the Pafuri concession of northern Kruger, but this route - from the Tuli block approaching Pafuri from the west - is entirely new ground even for tour veterans. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-23/a-wild-ride-through-kruger-national-park-south-africa.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:21:00 Cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion, Lance Armstrong, will be making his first visit to Cape Town in March 2010 to support the work of the JAG Sports and Education Foundation (JAG Foundation). Armstrong's visit, from the 9th to the 11th March 2010, will aim to raise awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles and positive role models and the power of sport in transforming youth communities. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-23/lance-armstrong-to-visit-cape-town-in-support-of-the-jag-foundation.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:11:00 With faster online speeds, the dominance of e-commerce and the rise of social media networking the tourism business has been revolutionized. Add to this the global interest in Africa for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and it is critical that tourism companies across Africa take advantage of online marketing opportunities. E Tourism Africa will be holding a two-day conference, with a Travel Technology Exhibition in Johannesburg on the 1-2 December this year, to help the sector understand and leverage the online opportunities and the new technologies available. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-22/e-tourism-africa-summit--bringing-the-online-tourism-world-to-johannesburg.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:05:00 After a rigorous selection process, finalists for the 3rd Hospitality Investment Awards have been announced. The awards form part of the exciting line up for the annual Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA) scheduled to take place on 4th to 6th November 2009 at the Sandton Sun hotel in Johannesburg. The CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), conveners of the conference, Ms. Mmatsatsi Marobe maintains that the vision for the awards is to acknowledge the work and achievement of the people within the industry while showcasing their products and services. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-22/finalists-for-2009-hica-awards-announced.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:59:00 The fruit of the mighty baobab is to be processed and exported to US food markets, bringing in better incomes for rural African farmers. The tree’s fruit and leaves are both edible, and the baobab fruit is particularly nourishing and rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Now, the benefits of baobab (Adansonia spp.) are to be experienced by millions of overseas consumers, with the September 2009 announcement that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the importation of baobab powder, made from the pulp of the fruit, into the US. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-20/baobab-export-coup-for-african-farmers.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:20:00 Its full steam ahead for South Africa’s iconic steam train, affectionately known as the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, the Garden Route’s iconic steam train.   http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-20/full-steam-ahead-for-south-africas-iconic-steam-train.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:36:00 Nelson Mandela will release a new memoir focusing on the best of his personal archives and letters from his time as anti-apartheid activist and former South African president, the publisher Macmillan said Wednesday. Mandela, 91, shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with then-South African President F.W. DeKlerk for their work in steering the country toward democracy. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-15/mandela-to-publish-new-memoir.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:20:00 October is the month for print media, photographers and web journalists to apply for accreditation for the final draw for the 2010 Fifa World Cup  to be held from 2 to 5 December in Cape Town. The draw event will not only determine the groups in which qualifying teams will play, but will also see a number of press conferences, the opening of Green Point Stadium, a media expo on future World Cup bidders, and more. http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-15/2010-final-draw-accreditation.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:02:00 Umoja – The Spirit of Togetherness has made it’s way around the world, inspiring thousands of audiences in more than 26 countries with the beat of Africa. Now SA Direct brings it to the TV screen.   http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-08/tv-highlight-umoja---the-spirit-of-togetherness.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:19:00 Base yourself in Paarl during the 2010 World Cup and enjoy this offer from the 4* Roggeland Country House. About Roggeland Country House http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-10-08/2010-special-at-roggeland-country-house.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:37:00