Southern Cross in Africa

This photo of the Southern Cross was taken in Limpopo Province in the Waterberg area with a Nikon D90 and an exposure time of 30 seconds.

It was difficult to find the Southern Cross due to the sheer number of stars visible. If you squint your eyes, the southern cross becomes clearer..... try it...

Sunset in Africa

Nothing gets close to the sunsets in Africa with its red sky and open spaces. This photo was taken in the Waterberg in Limpopo Province

Coal Tax in South Africa

According to Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, coal exports may be limited if coal companies in South Africa keeps threatening to disrupt the coal supply to state-owned electricity utility, Eskom.

Personally I think that these companies will then just take their investment money elsewhere or reduce production to fit in with the new quotas.

My opinion is that a better solution to the problem of trying to limit exports would be to allow Eskom to buy coal at market-related prices. If the mining companies still prefer to export, demand payment of company income tax in the form of coal at a specific quality delivered to Eskom at market related prices. So instead of paying taxes in cash, the mining companies can pay in coal, at a pre-determined, market-related price per tonne. That way the mining companies get to pay less taxes and are able to sell more coal at a fair price. Eskom also benefits by not having to negotiate prices with each company - it can then focus on the business of supplying electricity instead of playing legal politics.