As those of you who have visited me here know, we work in the office tower above one of Joburg’s rather more upmarket shopping malls. This has a number of benefits including the quality of what my younger colleagues refer to as the “stock” on view flitting from boutique to boutique. Certain tables in the watering holes are noted for their prime viewing.
Another feature of the centre is the cost, size and power of the motor vehicles that fill the parking levels through the day. Sadly these two entities do not make a happy combination.
Admittedly the ramps are narrow but the nicks and gouges in the rails and parapet walls are numerous and impressive. No sooner do the owners of the mall apply plaster and paint to these wounds than another sleek number rearranges its bodywork with a clash of car and cement work. I have mulled the idea of opening a pub in the Centre named “The Chrome and Rubble” – but perhaps not.
As in life so in the markets. You construct a really good looking portfolio with all the right statistics. You gun it down the ramp and into the market and then some fool bear causes you to lose concentration, and bang, the headlights are smashed and your poise is rubbish. It’s on to the cell phone to explain to the folk back home that you’ll be a little late while you sort out the mess and please can they send some more money.
Despite being a four day week (or perhaps because of it) it does seem to have been busy. The forthcoming Standard Bank preference share issue has deservedly excited a lot of interest. I have also been working on a chart that helps me see what is going on in the currency markets. I mean how do you know if the rand is getting stronger or if it is just the dollar getting weaker? More on this later. So you will understand when I tell you that I am looking forward to sneaking off tomorrow to the Kruger Park for half term.
Which brings us back to the game viewing at the waterholes.
James Greener
18 June 2004
