Hello Fellow South African’s,

A warm welcome to all the new people in Abu Dhabi. The SA group database is growing by the day.  We have received 62 new e-mail addresses in the past month.  We have around 600 e-mail addresses on our database.

We know there are still many South African's out there that do not know about the SA group and newsletter.  You can help us grow by forward this newsletter to all your friends. 

The SA group is there for you and without you and your help we cannot have this newsletter, so please make use of this free advertisement and let us know about that car you want to sell or that bargain around the corner.  Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

What is in this months news letter?

Dates of functions

Jobs wanted.

Money Matters

 Accommodation.

Maltese Poodle Wanted.

Sherlock Pub’s Valentine Special and Cricket.

Things to keep you busy in Abu Dhabi.

Bring en Braai.

SA Group Open Meeting.

Dinner & Dance.

Seminar on “Buying Property abroad”.

Computer Graphic artist.

Please mark your calendars for the following events.

28 Feb - South African Ladies Evening Group Belly Dance, see add below.

20 Feb – Desert braai

3 March – SA group open meeting

Seminar on “Buying property abroad” – let us know if you are interested

13 March – Dinner and Dance

Jobs wanted

IT Training Manager.

I am an IT Training Management specialist that includes, the creation and
management of IT Training centres, the creation and management of
distribution channels, The sale of software and IT education products to
corporations and institutions in Africa, Europe, and most recently the
Middle East. I have a thorough knowledge and practical experience in
management, training management, sales management, strategy implementation,
and support. My contract in Abu Dhabi has fallen through and I expect to
have to leave with my wife and children within the next week or so. I have
the rights to produce a large range of high quality training materials (500
titles) for the Middle East.

Anyone interested in contacting me, or viewing my CV, please get in touch
via email to pieter@thevanvuurens.com, or call my wife's mobile on 050 5814325

Last month we had a little quiz, so lets see if we got it right

Question 1

1.        Identify your financial Goal -             What are you trying to achieve?

2.        Set your time horizons: -     How long can you keep your money invested?

3.        Diversity:               Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket, spread your money between different types of investment!

4.        Understand Risk: Make sure you know how much risk is associated with type of investment you chose!

5.        Look beyond the short term:              The value of many investments can rise and fall on a daily basis. Dont panic if an investment temporarily falls: sometimes this can provide an opportunity to invest more money while a market offers good value.

6.        Take advantage of professional Help:              If you have any questions about investing  - seek professional advice.

 Question 2

1.        Open an offshore bank account

2.        Build up at least 3 to 6 months salary in your bank account

3.        Settle debts back home

4.        Help out loved ones back home

5.        What short term “GOALS” need to be addressed, (Life cover, Income and disability cover, Wills, Med Aid, car, deposit on a home, Etc)

6.        Plan your medium to long term, goals.( Buy a second home, Education Planning, Retirement planning, Estate planning)

Question 3

Buy low and sell high, (Not the other way around)

Beat inflation

Question 4

There are basically only 6 different asset classes

Question 5

They are: Cash – Bonds – Equities – Property – Commodities – Fast cars and paintings we call - Collectibles

Question 6

We covered the asset classes of Cash, Bonds and equities

I will be covering the Asset classes of Property, Commodities and Collectibles next month.

Accommodation

1.  We have two families looking for a 2/3 bedroom apartments or villas.  If you know of any available please let us know.
2. Shane Jackson, a 21 year old South African from Durban is looking for somebody to share a flat. His cell phone number is : 050 522 7483 or 6221808. 

Maltese Poodle Wanted

I am looking for Maltese Poodle puppies.  My Maltese dog of 14 years died over the holidays and I am looking for another (male if possible) puppy to keep our female Maltese company. Please contact Veronica on 050 457 6748.

 World Cup Cricket at Sherlock's Pub, everyday

From 11:00 in the morning till 02:00 the next morning.

Things to keep you busy in Abu Dhabi

1.                  For the children.

a.       Mini Rugby for Boys and girls from Under 5 to Under 16. Contact Riaan Smuts on 050 536 3718

b.      Christelike Kindergroepie, soos “kinderkrans van ouds” Maandae aande,  kontak Sandra Holloway 666 8327 of  050 443 6339.

2.                  For the Ladies.

a.       Netbal for women and children phone Natalie on 02 621 9417

b.      Ladies evening group Serina Foulsham on 050 699 1491

c.       Dames oggend groep Susarie Teubes on 050 614 1964

3.                  For the men.

a.       Rugby - Contact Riaan Smuts on 050 536 3718

b.      Golf - Contact Jaco and Lizette Breytenbach 050 613 7041

c.       Radio Control Airplanes - Contact Jaco Muller 050 613 5844

d.      Desert Outings. (With your own 4x4 and gear etc.) Contact Mynhard van der Walt 050 613 5841

4.                  Bible study Groups

5.                  There are different Bible study groups in Afrikaans and English, different nights of the week call Henry Lock on 050 667 3391 or Sandra Holloway on (02) 666 8327 or 050 443 6339  for more information about the groups.

If you are interested in any of the above, please contact the relevant contact person for advice on the how, when, where etc.

If you have any other hobbies or activities that you would like to share with fellow South Africans, please let us know and we will put it in every news letter.

Bring en Braai - Desert Braai 20^th February

Bring your family and friends and everybody you know for our desert braai. If you haven't been in the desert and don't have a car or a 4x4, you are still more than welcome.  The spot we are going to, can be reached by a sedan car, if you don't have a car we can make a plan to get you there, even if we need to hire a bus,  but please come. You need to bring your own chairs, blankets food and braai, if you don’t have a braai you can buy one of those disposable braai’s at Carrefour for Dhs.10.  I am sure there will be men who are willing to help with the braai. If you can bring a bundle of wood for a bonfire it will be great. We need to know if you are going to join us, please phone or e-mail one of the following people:

Hannelie Muller: jaco@emirates.net.ae or 445 4034 / 050 612 9643

Jaco van der Merwe: carla@emirates.net.ae or 02 641 5565 / 050 662 8831

Riaan Smuts: ssmuts@emirates.net.ae or 621 9106 / 050 536 3718

Japie Uys: japieuys@emirates.net.ae or 621 9417 / 050 562 3202

We will leave in two groups the first group will leave at exactly 3PM from the parking lot in front of ACE Hardware the second group from ACE Hardware at 4:30PM.  Please let us know if you will join us before 17 Feb.

Open Meeting

We will have an SA group open meeting on the Monday, 3 March at The Club.  We need to give “The Club” a name list for entrance so please let us know if you will attend  and what you want on the Agenda, by e-mail jaco@emirates.net.ae before 26 February.  There will be a cash bar available.

Dinner and Dance

Please keep the 13 March open for our dinner and dance.  More info soon….  You can start by making copies (to donate to the group for future use) of your favourite dance music to play the evening.

Seminar on “Buying property abroad”

We are planning a seminar about buying property abroad - UK, France, Spain, Australia, Europe and SA. We will be discussing UK first.  If you are interested in this, please let Hannelie know before the 20^th of Feb on 050 612 9643 or email jaco@emirates.net.ae . We need at least 10 people. We will charge a nominal fee of Dhs.10, the proceeds will go towards the SA Group for functions down the line.

Computer Graphic Artist

The SA group is looking for a Computer Graphic Artist to do a small volunteer job.

For more information about the SA group or newsletter phone or e-mail Hannelie Muller at 445 4034 / 050 612 9643 or jaco@emirates.net.ae

Regards till next month .... hope to see you at the functions!