Our protest power is still alive<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Fees](\"https:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2016\/04\/Corbis-42-79017681.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSouth Africa has more strikes and protests than any country in the world and most have been resolved with less bloodshed and death than in the days of apartheid. The efforts by political movements such as the Treatment Action Campaign<\/a>, Fees Must Fall and strikes by workers in general,\u00a0were not in vain. Many of the protests contributed to the eventual break\u00a0down of oppressive governmental, corporate structures and changes in legislation to protect future South Africans.<\/p><\/div>\nLove across the board is celebrated\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Lesbian](\"https:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2016\/04\/Corbis-42-38805747.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSouth Africa is the only country in Africa that recognises same-sex unions and legally protects love across colour and gender lines. The Constitution of South Africa<\/a>\u00a0guarantees equal protection before the law to all citizens regardless of\u00a0sexual orientation, race, gender and age. Statistics South Africa<\/a> reports that a total of 3327 same-sex marriages and civil partnerships were registered under the Civil Union Act up to the end of 2011. Love is always something great to celebrate.<\/p>\nThere are more transport systems than ever before<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"SOUTH](\"https:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2016\/04\/Corbis-42-29113968.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn big cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, traditional methods of transport such as taxis, buses and trains have been supplemented by the Gautrain<\/a>, Riya Vaya and MyCiti Bus. Expansion plans for Gautrain were announced this year with 48 coaches set to be added to its fleet, equivalent to 12 new trains as well as a new depot. This R3.5 billion investment will mean more access to transport for people living in the East, South and West of Gauteng. The City of Ekurhuleni is expected to launch\u00a0Harambee<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>buses this year as well.<\/p>\nLocal business is still booming<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"African](\"https:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2016\/04\/Corbis-42-22199584.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhile the current state of our economy can be quite depressing, it\u2019s great to know that South Africans always make a plan to survive on their own. According to the Absa SME Index for South Africa in 2013, self-employment was at the highest level since 2009 with 1.2 million self-employed business people in SA. The informal sector contribution to GDP has stayed at five percent from\u00a02001 to 2013. Some researchers have estimated that, in\u00a0South Africa,\u00a0small\u00a0and medium-sized enterprises make up 91% of formalised\u00a0businesses.<\/p>\n
The Arts shine internationally<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Sadler's](\"https:\/\/albertonrecord.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2016\/04\/Corbis-42-59562167.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn ten years, South Africa has won two Oscars, 4 Grammys and international acclaim for film, dance, puppetry and music. The casts of international theatre hits like The Lion King<\/em> are mainly South African and there are also many local shows like Dada Masilo\u2019s Carmen<\/em> touring internationally. South Africa has become\u00a0a filming destination for international movies due to the excellent local technical crews and magnificent scenery. Films such as\u00a0Oscar winning Mad Max:\u00a0Fury Road<\/em>, Blood Diamond<\/em>\u00a0with Leonardo DiCaprio; and Clint Eastwood’s\u00a0Invictus <\/em>were\u00a0shot here. This is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the success we have\u00a0achieved internationally.<\/p>\nQuality of life has improved for South Africans<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSouth Africa has more strikes and protests than any country in the world and most have been resolved with less bloodshed and death than in the days of apartheid. The efforts by political movements such as the Treatment Action Campaign<\/a>, Fees Must Fall and strikes by workers in general,\u00a0were not in vain. Many of the protests contributed to the eventual break\u00a0down of oppressive governmental, corporate structures and changes in legislation to protect future South Africans.<\/p> South Africa is the only country in Africa that recognises same-sex unions and legally protects love across colour and gender lines. The Constitution of South Africa<\/a>\u00a0guarantees equal protection before the law to all citizens regardless of\u00a0sexual orientation, race, gender and age. Statistics South Africa<\/a> reports that a total of 3327 same-sex marriages and civil partnerships were registered under the Civil Union Act up to the end of 2011. Love is always something great to celebrate.<\/p>\n In big cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, traditional methods of transport such as taxis, buses and trains have been supplemented by the Gautrain<\/a>, Riya Vaya and MyCiti Bus. Expansion plans for Gautrain were announced this year with 48 coaches set to be added to its fleet, equivalent to 12 new trains as well as a new depot. This R3.5 billion investment will mean more access to transport for people living in the East, South and West of Gauteng. The City of Ekurhuleni is expected to launch\u00a0Harambee<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>buses this year as well.<\/p>\n While the current state of our economy can be quite depressing, it\u2019s great to know that South Africans always make a plan to survive on their own. According to the Absa SME Index for South Africa in 2013, self-employment was at the highest level since 2009 with 1.2 million self-employed business people in SA. The informal sector contribution to GDP has stayed at five percent from\u00a02001 to 2013. Some researchers have estimated that, in\u00a0South Africa,\u00a0small\u00a0and medium-sized enterprises make up 91% of formalised\u00a0businesses.<\/p>\n In ten years, South Africa has won two Oscars, 4 Grammys and international acclaim for film, dance, puppetry and music. The casts of international theatre hits like The Lion King<\/em> are mainly South African and there are also many local shows like Dada Masilo\u2019s Carmen<\/em> touring internationally. South Africa has become\u00a0a filming destination for international movies due to the excellent local technical crews and magnificent scenery. Films such as\u00a0Oscar winning Mad Max:\u00a0Fury Road<\/em>, Blood Diamond<\/em>\u00a0with Leonardo DiCaprio; and Clint Eastwood’s\u00a0Invictus <\/em>were\u00a0shot here. This is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the success we have\u00a0achieved internationally.<\/p>\nLove across the board is celebrated\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThere are more transport systems than ever before<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLocal business is still booming<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Arts shine internationally<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nQuality of life has improved for South Africans<\/strong><\/h2>\n