Sept 2008

Sept 2008 sadmin

AGRICULTURE SUCCESS HELPS HER TO HELP THE POOR

AGRICULTURE SUCCESS HELPS HER TO HELP THE POOR sadmin
Martha Mulaudzi's hard work and her love for farming helped her to get a farm through government’s land distribution programme. Before that, she was managing a farm for someone else. 
 
Success
 
Today, Mulaudzi's success is there for everyone to see. She is the largest exporter of farm products in her province and employs 35 people from the community as farm workers. She has also been a winner in the Female Farmer of the Year competition. 
 
Her farm produces tomatoes, butternuts, green peppers and chillies. Some of the produce is exported to neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. 
 
School fees
 
Mulaudzi, a 46-year old mother of three children, believes in the saying that charity begins at home. Even before she started exporting her products, she helped feeding the poor in her community of Musina in Limpopo. 
 
Because Mulaudzi believes education is very important, she also helps poor families to pay their children's school fees. In addition, she gives jobs to people from the community. 
 
In the past, she saw a lot of poverty and wanted to help, but in those days she could hardly support herself. "I was an employee managing a farm for someone else. I couldn't help other poor people with a monthly income of only R270," she said. 
 
Grateful
 
"Now I am able to feed my own family, as well as poor families whose suffering I could do nothing about before I owned a farm," 
 
"I am very grateful for this opportunity. I could never have done it without government's help," she said. 
 
"When I got the farm I could put my experience of managing a farm to full use. I worked very hard because I didn't want to fail. I knew that my hard work would pay off one day." 
 
Reward
 
Government has noticed and rewarded Mulaudzi's efforts. In 2006, she was chosen as the country's top female producer for export markets in the national Female Farmer of the Year competition. For this achievement she got an award of R35 000 from the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs. 
 
Advice
 
A word of advice to emerging farmers from Mulaudzi is that they should love and be proud of their profession. "Work hard and always seek advice from successful farmers." 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
Rural development

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP ESCAPE DEBT ... SPEND MONEY WISELY

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP ESCAPE DEBT ... SPEND MONEY WISELY sadmin
 
If you are struggling to keep up with payments on outstanding debt, you are not alone. Like you, many people have fallen into the debt trap. Don't despair, there are ways to get out of debt. Once your goal to be debt free is achieved, stay out of debt and start spending your money wisely. 
 
Sekoloto-Gasebole is an old Sesotho saying that means debt never gets rotten. This saying is still true in today's economy. If we do not pay off our debt as soon as possible, it becomes bigger because of the interest we have to pay on the loan. 
 
You Pay More
 
In South Africa, a debt only gets "rotten" as the saying goes, after a period of 30 years. During that period the credit giver can demand payment from you while the debt keeps building up interest. If, for example, you fail to pay a debt of a R1 000 over a long period, you could end up paying a few hundred rands, even thousands more over time. 
 
Rising Costs
 
Most South Africans are affected by the rising cost of living. Interest rates have gone up nine times by a total of 4,5 per cent in the past 18 months. Petrol and food prices also keep rising. Many people, especially those who are already struggling to survive, are finding it almost impossible to keep up with paying outstanding debt. But there are ways to get out of debt and the best time is to start is right now. 
 
Arrangement
 
Don't buy anything on credit while you are still paying off other debt. First pay off the outstanding debt. If you have a credit card, don't use it to pay your debt. You will only get deeper into debt with the high credit card charges. Instead of skipping payments or not paying at all, contact the companies where you owe money (credit givers). Be honest with them and explain your position. Ask to make an arrangement to settle the debt. They may allow you to pay smaller amounts per month over a longer period of time. You will pay more interest, but you will be able to pay something and avoid being negatively listed at the credit bureau. 
 
Debt counsellor
 
If you see no way out of your debt or if you are already listed with credit bureaus, you can go to a debt counsellor for help. The counsellor will do a credit review and help you to work out a payment plan. The counsellor will also contact your credit givers and tell them you have applied for a credit review. During this time you won't be allowed to buy anything on credit. Once your debt is paid off, the counsellor will issue a clearance certificate. This will help you get a positive credit profile again. It means you will be able to buy on credit again in future if it becomes necessary. 
 
All is not lost
 
So, all is not lost. As much as the Sesotho saying says Sekoloto-Gasibole, there is a Zulu saying Okungapheli kuyahlola. This means whatever difficult situation we face, it is bound to come to an end. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
 
 
START THE GOOD HABIT OF SAVING
 
As soon as you have paid off your debt, try to put some money away to save every month - even if it's just a small amount to begin with. This will help you to get into the good habit of saving. 
 
Having savings gives you the confidence of knowing you can deal with unexpected expenses or emergencies without having to go into debt again. 
 
Paying for a big item in cash means you will pay much less than if you bought it on hire purchase. You will pay possibly as much as half the price you would have paid in the end. You can even ask for a cash discount. In addition, you will have the power to shop around for the best prices. 
 
You may not be able to save all the money you need for bigger items like a car. But if you have some savings, you can use it as a deposit. This means it will cost much less in the end and the debt you need to repay will be much more manageable. 
 
Money experts say we should aim to save about 10 per cent to 15 per cent of our net income per month. The earlier you start, the more you will have when you really need it.
General

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP GOING GREEN WITH A FARM IN THE CITY

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP GOING GREEN WITH A FARM IN THE CITY sadmin
Greening the city, caring for the environment, and empowering poor communities are some of the reasons why the GreenHouse Project started and why other cities should take note. The project helps to create jobs, food gardens and recycling centres in Johannesburg. With a loan from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism the project has taken off. 
 
The many high-rise buildings in Johannesburg hide the efforts of people in the city who are fighting high food prices. Joubert Park, which lies between the busy Noord Street taxi rank and Hillbrow, has been turned into a small farm through the GreenHouse Project. 
 
The GreenHouse People's Environmental Centre, as it is called, gives information and practical demonstrations. It includes things like caring for the environment, planting food without chemicals, recycling waste material, and growing medicinal plants. 
 
Waste recycling
 
The GreenHouse Project also started a co-operative called Randzanani Waste and Recycling. 
 
They set up a recycling centre that turns used cooking oil into diesel. People who work for this programme, earn money by collecting old cooking oil in large drums from food outlets in the city. They also collect other used items that can be sold for recycling like cool-drink cans, bottles and cardboard boxes. In this way they not only make a living, but also care for the environment by cleaning up rubbish. 
 
Rewarded
 
Their work has earned them the Bontle Ke Botle award from the City of Johannesburg for helping to keep the city clean. 
 
At the beginning of the project, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism gave each worker a monthly wage of R1 200. But the project is now doing so well that they are able to earn a monthly income on their own. They are even motivated to work on weekends to achieve their set performance targets. If they reach their targets, they are rewarded with performance bonuses. 
 
Food co-operatives
 
With grants from the National Development Agency, the Green-House Project also started food gardening co-operatives in other places around Gauteng. These include Denver, Jeppestown, Duduza, Diepkloof, Alexandra and Protea Glen. The food gardens grow vegetables, medicinal herbs and plants without using chemicals. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
General

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP GROWING FOOD FOR THE FUTURE

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP GROWING FOOD FOR THE FUTURE sadmin
Government is joining hands with different sectors of society to help lessen the effect of high food prices. One way of doing this is to encourage all South Africans to start growing food for the future. 
 
Government made a commitment to help fight high food prices at a two-day food conference in July. More than 5 000 people attended the conference. They represented government, civil society, non-government organisations, community-based groups, representatives of farmer unions, municipalities and the private sector. 
 
Food programme
 
One way of helping people to start their own food gardens, is by strengthening partnerships with community organisations. 
 
To help poor households, government will also strengthen its Integrated Food Security Programme. This will include giving seeds and fertilisers to community and back yard farmers. Communities or households wanting to extend their food gardens to larger pieces of land, or to farm commercially, will get help in the form of funds and training in farming skills. 
 
Future
 
Government's Food Security Programme is not only a shortterm plan, but is also designed for the future. Part of the longterm plan, is to speed up the distribution of farmland to previously disadvantaged communities. 
 
Government will not only help new farmers with skills training, but will also make it easier for them to access markets. For example, provincial and national food banks will be started as markets where they can sell their products. For poor households, the food banks will be places where they can buy cheaper food. 
 
VAT
 
To help keep the cost of basic foods low, no value added tax (VAT) is charged on certain items. These items are called zero-rated foodstuffs. They include brown bread, maize meal, samp, mealie rice, dried mealies, dried beans, lentils, milk and milk powder, rice, vegetables and fruit, tinned sardines and pilchards, vegetable oil and eggs. 
 
Price fixing
 
Government's plan to fight high food prices also includes investigating incidents of price fixing. Price fixing is when large organisations agree to fix prices at a higher level thereby charging consumers too much. Those found guilty of price fixing will get heavy fines. The money from such fines will go towards helping poor communities. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
General

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP PAY OFF DEBT AND START SAVING

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP PAY OFF DEBT AND START SAVING sadmin

A lesson to be learned from the high cost of living is that we should try to be free of debt and to start saving our money. 
 
If we have unpaid debt that we made years ago, the higher interest rates mean that we have to pay more interest on the debt. But for people who have been saving all along, the high interest rate means they can enjoy better returns on their savings. 
 
Never too late
 
Even though times are tough, we shouldn't despair. The present economic situation can help us to start building for the future. It is a wake-up call to South Africans that debt should be paid up as quickly as possible and that it's never too late to start saving. 
 
Even if you save just one rand a day instead of spending two rand then you would have saved money that day. The situation also forces many people to start looking more closely at how they spend their money. This means budgeting, saving and not spending more than you earn. It also means checking your credit profile at least twice a year 
 
Credit status
 
In line with the National Credit Act, you do not have to pay to have your credit status checked for the first time in a year. But you have to pay about R20 to have it checked for the second time in the same year. 
 
Once you find out that your credit profile is not good, you can take steps to improve it. For example, start paying off any bad debt that you still have and don't buy anything else on credit, especially not expensive items. Instead of buying on credit, rather use the money to pay off your debt. 
 
In this way you will get a positive credit profile. It can help you if you really need to buy something in future when economic conditions are better and interest rates are lower. 
 
Check your profile
 
It is also important to check your profile with the credit bureau. About six million South Africans are listed negatively so far. Checking your profile gives you a chance to make sure that you will not be blacklisted unfairly. If you find that you have been listed unfairly, you can take steps to have your name removed from the list. 
 
It is important to build up a good credit profile as it may help you when you really need to buy a big item like a car or a house in future. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
General

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP STOKVEL - MAKING UBUNTU WORK

AVOID THE DEBT TRAP STOKVEL - MAKING UBUNTU WORK sadmin
Many people cannot save their money because of the high cost of living. Even though there are different ways to save, it's difficult when you have little cash to spare. But in Africa we always find a way out - one of them is stokvel clubs 
 
An easy way to save the little money you have, is to get together with other people who are in a similar situation. Stokvel is one of the most popular ways to do this. It makes ubuntu work as people help each other to save as a group for a common goal. 
 
Different kinds
 
There are different kinds of stokvel clubs. Members usually contribute an equal amount every month and the whole amount is invested. If the club has many members, this can be quite a large amount which earns good interest. 
 
Some stokvels pay out members' shares in December or January. Others pay members per month with different members being paid out in different months. 
 
Profit
 
If you are a member of a big stokvel club that has many members, you will get a larger share when the profit is paid out. This can help you to pay school fees up front, pay your debt, buy food or build a home. In addition, stokvel clubs also have the power to ask for discounts and to buy in bulk. Bulk buying can save a lot of money. 
 
Many people join stokvel clubs so that they have something to turn to during difficult times. If you are a member of a stokvel and you are in financial difficulty, you can use your good standing and trusted stokvel membership to help you by asking for a loan. 
 
Wisdom of Africa
 
It is now also possible to open a bank account as a stokvel club. Many banks are beginning to understand the wisdom of Africa and are developing banking products to meet the needs of stokvels. Talk to your local bank about your needs and see if they can help you. 
 
It is up to you to join the right kind of stokvel for your specific needs. So, make sure that the stokvel is serving you and your needs. Get together with a group of friends that have similar needs. Use the creativity of Africa to put together your own stokvel with rules that will be best for your needs. 
 
 
- Mbulelo Baloyi
 
General

Advice: Exercise to stay healthy and productive

Advice: Exercise to stay healthy and productive sadmin
EXERCISE TO STAY HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE
 
Exercising has many health benefits. It keeps you fit and healthy and reduces the chances of developing heart diseases, cancer and diabetes by up to 50 per cent. All of these are major causes of death in South Africa. 
 
Regular exercise also helps to:
 
  • prevent high blood pressure, hip fractures and lower back pain
  • promote psychological wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and depression,
  • control weight
  • build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, joints and stamina.

More Productive

Healthy habits like regular exercise are not only good for people, but also for the country. It benefits the country's economy by reducing the amount of money that government spends on health services. The economy further benefits because healthy people are more productive and less likely to be absent from work. 
 
Walk, dance or play
 
You don't have to go to a gym to exercise. It is something you can do at home as a fun activity for the whole family. You can also get your friends to join in. Exercises to do together include walking, running, riding bicycles, swimming, skipping, playing games like soccer, and even dancing. But to benefit from any exercise you have to do it regularly. For example, walking for half-an hour five days a week will have major health benefits. 
 
Exercise programme
 
Exercising is not difficult, but many people find it hard to start an exercising programme and to stick to it. If you are not an active person, you should start slowly with easy exercises for short periods. Then slowly start to do more difficult exercises for longer periods. The trick is to listen to your body. If you have pain, start feeling dizzy, or get very tired, it means you are doing too much too soon. It is a sign that you should reduce your exercising to a level that feels comfortable for you. 
 
Enjoy
 
If you enjoy walking and you become comfortable with the distance you walk every day, you can start walking faster for longer distances. In this way you will really benefit from the exercise. This applies to any type of exercise that you choose. Remember to choose exercises that you enjoy. Make it a fun activity to look forward to instead of something that feels like hard work. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
 
 
E-mail us on: vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.za
 
The Department of Health will advise you.

 

Health

FIGHTING POVERTY YOU CAN GET SOCIAL GRANTS WITHOUT OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

FIGHTING POVERTY YOU CAN GET SOCIAL GRANTS WITHOUT OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS sadmin
Government is committed to halving poverty by 2014. One way of achieving this is through its social grants programme. Social grants help people to get out of the poverty trap and to cope with the rising cost of living. But how do you apply for a grant if you don't have official identity documents? 
 
In the past, some people couldn't get social grants because they struggled to get identity documents or birth certificates. This often left them in a desperate situation and unable to feed their families. 
 
Because government is committed to helping everyone in need, a lack of official documents is no longer a reason not to get a social grant. 
 
Affidavit
 
If you qualify for a social grant and have difficulty to get official documents, you can go ahead and apply for a grant without it. But before you can do so, you will have to make a sworn statement, called an "affidavit", before a commissioner of oaths. You will find a commissioner of oaths at any police station or magistrate's court in your area. 
 
Evidence
 
In the sworn statement you will have to give evidence before the commissioner about your personal information or those of children involved in the application. This includes names, ages, dates of birth, parents or any other information that may be relevant to the application. 
 
When you have made the statement, it will be sent to the Department of Social Development. As soon as they receive it, they will start processing your application. 
 
The new system was first started to help people who had difficulty with getting child support grants. But it has now been extended to include all types of grants. 
 
All grants
 
This means people who struggle to get identity documents can also use the new procedure to access other grants. These include care dependency, foster care, old age, disability, and war veterans grants, as well as the grant in aid and social relief of distress grant. 
 
The new process will make it easier for the Department of Social Development to join hands with the Department of Home Affairs. Together they will speed up their services to people without official documents. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
 
General

FUN PAGE TREES - NATURE'S MEDICINE CHEST...

FUN PAGE TREES - NATURE'S MEDICINE CHEST... sadmin
Arbor Day ("Arbor" is another word for tree) is celebrated around the world on 7 September. In South Africa, we celebrate trees for a whole week from 1 to 7 September. During this time, we are encouraged to plant trees. It is also a time when the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry makes people aware of the important role trees play in our lives. For example, trees give us shade, shelter, fruit and wood. What's more, many trees are also used as MEDICINE... 
 
Did you KNOW?
 
Many South African trees have medicinal properties. This means different parts of the trees are used as medicine.
Parts of trees that are used for medicine include the leaves, bark, gum, fruits, seeds, roots, and bulbs.
For example, the fruit of the baobab tree is used for stomach and bladder problems, fever and inflammation. The leaves, bark and gum of the sweet thorn tree is used for stomach problems, colds, bleeding, and mouth infections.The bark of the African wattle is used for stomach problems and cramps, as well as to soothe sore eyes.
Some parts of trees and other plants are poisonous. So NEVER use any parts of trees or plants as medicine unless you are 100 per cent sure that it is safe to do so.
 
General

KE NAKO. CELEBRATE AFRICA'S HUMANITY ACCOMMODATING SMALLER BUSINESSES

KE NAKO. CELEBRATE AFRICA'S HUMANITY ACCOMMODATING SMALLER BUSINESSES sadmin

The world soccer controlling body, FIFA, will give its full support to smaller businesses like bed and breakfasts, lodges and guesthouses to accommodate visitors in 2010. 

But to get FIFA's support, such places must be registered and must meet FIFA's standards. 

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, together with MATCH, is responsible for making sure that the 55 000 rooms needed for soccer officials, teams, VIPs, media and visitors are of a high standard. 

MATCH is an international company hired by FIFA and is responsible for accommodation, information technology and issuing of tickets for the 2010 World Cup. 

Grading Council

The Tourism Grading Council is a body started by government to make sure that places offering accommodation meet certain standards. They look at what places offer and give them a star rating in line with set conditions. 

Places will only be graded if they:

  • ensure safety and security of clients and staff;
  • have insurance, which protect the public;
  • have a health and safety certificate;
  • have fire and building regulations;
  • are registered as a business with the provincial authority;
  • do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or citizenship; and
  • have smoking regulations.

MATCH

The role of MATCH in the grading process is to:

  • ensure that accommodation prices are fair and reasonable;
  • ensure easy access to accommodation;
  • promote the image of the FIFA World Cup;
  • promote the image of South Africa as a host country; and
  • identify accommodation which meet FIFA's needs.

Enterprise Programme

So far, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, through the Grading Council and MATCH, have graded about 30 000 rooms for 2010. 

To speed up the grading of small, medium and micro businesses, government has made R200 million available. 

Government also started the Tourism Enterprise Programme to help small businesses to meet the necessary grading standards by helping them to improve their businesses. 

- Muzi Mkhwanazi

KE NAKO. CELEBRATE AFRICA'S HUMANITY ENSURING A SAFE WORLD CUP

KE NAKO. CELEBRATE AFRICA'S HUMANITY ENSURING A SAFE WORLD CUP sadmin

Plans to ensure that soccer fans will have a safe visit to the country during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup are almost finalised. The safety and security plan, which is aimed at dealing with specific crimes will be rolled out in different stages. The first part is crime prevention and combating. The police will deploy 41 000 police personnel. In addition, they will have support from the South African National Defence Force for specific tasks. The second stage includes intelligence. A 2010 Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee between police and military intelligence has been set up to look at ways to fight terrorism, hooliganism and unruly crowds. The third phase involves border control. It has been divided into South African ports of entry and border lines. Regarding border lines, the South African Police started operational committees with the SADC countries. They also set up a police organisation called Southern African Region of Police Chiefs. 

- BuaNews

General

KEEPING IT BRIEF

KEEPING IT BRIEF sadmin

EASTERN CAPE

Almost 1 000 families who lived in informal settlements in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality got their own homes in August. They are beneficiaries of the Zanemvula Housing Project. Through this project, about 15 000 houses will give shelter to more than 90 000 people at a cost of more than R1 billion. It will wipe away almost 20 per cent of the municipality's 100 000 housing backlog. 

- BuaNews

 

NORTHERN CAPE

Construction has started on the Big Hole Conference Centre in Kimberley. It is part of the Big Hole Development Project and will give jobs to about 350 people, mostly youth from the local community. It will also bring more business and tourism to the area. The centre is part of the provincial government's commitment to improve opportunities in Kimberley. The Big Hole is the largest man-made hole in the world and a major tourist attraction in the region. 

- BuaNews

 

MPUMALANGA

The province will host this year's Special Olympics for intellectually disabled athletes, in Elandsdoorn near Groblersdal on 24 September. Athletes from across the country will take part in different Olympic sports. These include soccer, netball, table tennis and volleyball. The event is funded by government, individuals, corporations, foundations, and grants. 

- BuaNews

 

FREE STATE

Upgrading of the Free State Stadium for both the 2009 Confederations Cup, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup is nearly completed. The project created more than 400 construction jobs. A total of R4,5 million has been paid out to construction workers since the work started on 1 September 2007. The completion date was first set for 30 August this year, but has been extended to the end of September. 

- BuaNews

 

LIMPOPO

An Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Processing Centre was opened in Thohoyandou recently. Employers and workers in Limpopo are now able to easily register with the fund and process their claims without having to travel long distances. The Department of Labour is starting similar centres throughout the country. It aims to improve service delivery and educate the public about the services offered by the UIF, as well as encouraging beneficiaries to make use of available services. 

- BuaNews

 

KWAZULU-NATAL

The Department of Public Works has set aside R34 million for rebuilding mud schools in KwaZulu-Natal. This is part of R150 million set aside by government to rebuild 8 000 mud schools throughout the country. The main aim of the programme is to improve unsuitable school structures and to fight poverty through job creation, skills development and local economic development. 

- BuaNews

 

For more information about news items featured on this page, call 1020

General

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GIVE US A PIECE OF YOUR MIND

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GIVE US A PIECE OF YOUR MIND sadmin

Let's be a place of peace
 
We South Africans should be ashamed of ourselves. The 2010 World Cup is just around the corner; we expect people from other countries to love and support our country, but we still have xenophobic attacks. Where is our spirit of ubuntu? Our country is supposed be a place of peace. So, let's say no to xenophobia and end the killing of our country and our fellow Africans. 
 
- Kganane Solly Kgotso, Driekop, Limpopo
 
Market yourself as a brand
 
Many women don't know how to present themselves to the world and project confidence. Why are women more hesitant about career opportunities than men? What's holding them back from asking what they want? Many confident people started out as shy people who were put in situations where they had to pretend to be confident. If you fake confidence, it will become real after a while. We live in a brand-obsessed world, so market yourself as a brand. If you believe in yourself, others will too. 
 
- Zukiswa Mqhomfeni, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
 
Keep on knocking
 
Many young people complain about government failing to provide jobs for them, but they do nothing to find jobs. How do they expect employment if they don't even read a newspaper and look for jobs that are available. 
 
No-one is going to come knocking on your door and give you a job. You need to go out and market yourself. If the first office door is shut in your face, don't go home. Keep on knocking until someone lets you in. 
 
- Dudu Hope Letageng, Sekhukhune, Limpopo
 
Discover your dream
 
Having a dream helps you to look beyond your current circumstances. A dream will help you to prioritise the most important things in your life. A dream makes even the small things that you do exciting, because you know that they are helping you get closer to reaching that dream. 
 
Once you discover your dream, go after it. To develop your dream, think about it, be humble, have character, don't be complacent - just keep on believing you can do it! 
 
- Mokebe Tiisetso, Phuthadithaba, Free State
 
Choosing to act wisely
 
The youth of today don't care about the consequences of their actions. Every action has rewards and results. Life is about choices and you are the master of the situation. The choices we make determine our future. You win or lose according to your actions and choices, so choose to act wisely. 
 
- Thabile Malope, Bethal, Mpumalanga
 
Plant your own food
 
We live in times when nearly everything is rising. Basic healthy foods are becoming too costly for low-income or poor households. From personal experience I have seen how beneficial it is to have a vegetable garden at home. We have grown spinach, beans, peas, tomatoes and other vegetables. With these available at home, there is no need to spend extra money to buy them and we never go hungry. 
 
- Tumišo Mphahlele, Benoni, Gauteng
 
Informative and helpful
 
I am a grade 10 to 12 economics teacher and also teach other subjects. I find your magazine so informative and helpful for my lessons, especially when it comes to economic and business issues. The stories on how people try to improve their lives using government help and resources available to them are also very helpful. 
 
Now I am fully aware what government is doing to help the marginalised vulnerable citizens. Let's stop blaming the state and start doing something to improve and develop our society and our lives. 
 
- Ayanda Cwele, Harding, KwaZulu-Natal
 
Changed the way I look at life
 
I really love your magazine! Whenever I read Vuk'uzenzele, I find something inspiring inside. The topics that you publish really shed a different light on the way I look at life. Because of Vuk'uzenzele I have realised that one man can make a difference, but a team can change the world. 
 
To people out there, I want to say meet every challenge with courage, every obstacle with love, every disappointment with hope and every triumph with humility. 
 
- Mojakisame Peter Phomleli, Wepener, Free State
 
Say "no" to poverty
 
Ploughing and farming are the pillars of life. Now everybody in this country has a right to do so. This means nobody should be afraid to start farming or to start his or her own vegetable garden. South Africans are supposed to be good examples of ploughing the land. We should say "no" to poverty. By ploughing the land and farming we are producing food and making poverty run away. I call on all South Africans to follow the ploughing and farming trend. I believe poverty can stop if we all pull up our socks. 
 
- Harrison Gcinikhaya Saba, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
 
General

NATIONAL DISABILITY SUMMIT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY FOR ALL

NATIONAL DISABILITY SUMMIT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY FOR ALL sadmin
The lives of people with disabilities and their families have improved during the last 14 years. This was noted during the second two-day National Disability Summit in Johannesburg in July. The theme was "Justice and Dignity for All ." 
 
More than 300 representatives from different organisations for disabled people, as well as government bodies attended the Disability Summit. 
 
The Office of the Status of Disabled People in the Presidency and the South African Disability Alliance organised the summit. 
 
Basic care
 
Representatives said they had noticedthat the public have generally become more positive about disabled people. In addition, more and more disabled people have access to government's social services and basic care. 
 
The number of people with disabilities who benefit from disability grants has grown from 634 000 in 1999 to 1,5 billion in 2007. 
 
This increase has helped to reduce poverty among disabled people. 
 
Awareness plan
 
One of the agreements reached at the summit was that a national awareness plan on disability would be developed. The plan will give guidance to those who work with disabled people to make sure they have a common goal. It will also make sure disabled people are treated with respect and dignity. 
 
All government departments must develop guidelines to make sure disabled people have access to information, transport and other services. The guidelines will be developed with the help of the South African Disability Alliance.
 
Jobs
 
The summit noted that the target of two per cent of public service jobs set aside for disabled people has not yet been reached. 
 
Government will make sure that employers are encouraged to cooperate by giving jobs to disabled people. 
 
It was recommended that the work of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) should include all matters relating to disabled people. This will help to empower them by creating jobs. 
 
Rural people
 
Disabled people in rural areas still face many problems. These include difficulty in getting skills and jobs. In addition, public transport systems in rural areas do not have facilities for disabled people. 
 
For many of them, taxis are the only available form of public transport. The summit therefore called for suggestions to make taxis more accessible. 
 
 
- Mbulelo Baloyi
 
General

PHOTO STORY NO SHORTCUTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE TOP

PHOTO STORY NO SHORTCUTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE TOP sadmin

General

ROLE MODEL NO SHORTCUTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE TOP

ROLE MODEL NO SHORTCUTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE TOP sadmin
It took Maema Mmonwa 14 years to get a good job after finishing matric in the early 1990s. He grew up in Kanana, a small village near Polokwane in Limpopo.
 
In 1993, Mmonwa passed matric with university exemption, but had no money to continue his studies. He found himself at home herding his father's cattle. 
 
"It was the most frustrating time of my life. Here I was, 17 years old having passed matric with good symbols and yet I was herding cattle," he said. 
 
Construction work
 
Mmonwa later decided to join his uncle in Gauteng to look for a job. He found a job at a low-cost housing construction site near Eersterust, earning R18 a day. 
 
"It was physically punishing work. We had to dig foundation trenches for the houses using pickaxes. Some of my fellow workers would ridicule me asking what I was doing there if I had a good matric pass." 
 
At first he stayed in a hostel in Mamelodi, but moved to an informal settlement near Germiston. 
 
He then found a job at a gardening firm mowing lawns for R220 every two weeks. His financial position improved a little when he worked as a security guard for a while earning R820 per month. 
 
In October 1998, he was almost killed by striking workers at a dairy company where he was accused of being a "scab" (casual) labourer. He was assaulted and left for dead, but recovered in hospital. 
 
Bursary
 
In 2000, a friend told Mmonwa about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). 
 
He applied for a bursary and was accepted at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). In 2001, he started studying for a BA in social work. "At first it was hard to concentrateon my studies as I had been out of school for too long. But I didn't want to go back to the difficult life I had and put in an extra effort to succeed." 
 
In 2005, he completed his studies with outstanding results, which earned him three merit awards. 
 
Master's degree
 
Mmonwa went on to study for a master's degree in Development Planning at the Wits School of Architecture and Planning. 
 
On completing his studies in 2007, he got an award as the best student. In December 2007, Mmonwa was appointed as a researcher at the CSIR's Built Environment section. 
 
"It has been a 14 years of agony, pain and frustration, but I never gave up. Although at one time criminal gangs asked me to join them when I was still living at the informal settlement, I refused because I knew that in life there are no short-cuts to success." 
 
 
- Mbulelo Baloyi
 
Jobs / Vacancies

VOTER EDUCATION GET READY TO VOTE

VOTER EDUCATION GET READY TO VOTE sadmin
Next year, South Africans will be able to choose their leaders again at polling stations across the country. If you are a registered voter, you can use your right to vote for the political party and leaders you want to see in government. So, make sure you are ready for the elections by registering as a voter. 
 
The 2009 general elections will take place between mid April and July next year. In the past, a number of people could not vote because their names were not registered on the National Common Voters' Roll. 
 
To be able to vote, you have to be registered in the voting district where you live. 
 
Identity document
 
To register as a voter, you must be a South African citizen and you have to be 16 years or older. You must also have a green bar-coded identity document (ID). 
 
Once you have registered and your details have been checked in the Population Register, your name will be placed on the voters' roll. 
 
How to register
 
If your name is not on the voters' roll yet, you can register any time during business hours at your local office of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). 
 
You can also go to a voting station in the voting district where you live during the general voter registration period. Remember to take your ID with you. 
 
When registering you will have to complete an application form. The registration officer will put a sticker in your ID book with your registration number on it. This is proof that you have applied for registration. It is only then that your application will be processed. 
 
Send an sms
 
You can now also register by sending an sms message from your cell phone. Just enter your ID number and send it to 32810. You will get an sms reply informing you whether you are registered or not. 
 
Democratic right
 
Remember, registration is free - you don't have to pay anything before you can vote. So, use your democratic right and register now. 
 
 
- Muzi Mkhwanazi
General

WORLD AFFAIRS G8 - THE RICH GIVING BACK TO THE POOR

WORLD AFFAIRS G8 - THE RICH GIVING BACK TO THE POOR sadmin

In the early 1970s, there was a serious shortage of oil in the world. This caused economic hardship. It was during this time that it was decided to get the world's most powerful economies together to find solutions to the world's problems. 

In 1975, seven rich countries came together to form what was then known as the world's group of seven industrialised nations. They became know as the G7 countries. Their aim was to work together to create a better world. 

These countries were the United States of America (USA), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada. 

In 1994, Russia joined them and the name changed to G8. 

G8 Summit

Every year, the heads of government of these countries get together for a three-day G8 leaders' summit. This year's meeting was held in the resort area of Hokkaido near Tokyo in Japan. 

The aim of the summit is to discuss world problems like high food prices, aid to developing countries, terrorism, high oil prices and changes in the environment.

At the end of each summit, the G8 put out a final statement in which they explain how they plan to solve the problems faced by both the developed and developing nations. 

Group of 5

To make the summits more representative, a group of developing nations is also invited to attend. These countries are South Africa, India, Brazil, China and Mexico. They are known as the Group of Five (G5). 

The participation of the five developing nations ensures that they have common goals when solutions to world problems are discussed. 

South Africa's participation in the G8 summits has been a positive step for the whole African region. It gives a voice to the region and is in line with the G8's aim of creating a better world. 

African development

At the 2005 summit in Scotland, the G8 countries promised that by 2010 they would give 50 billion American dollars yearly for African development. This includes the fight against diseases like HIV and Aids, and malaria. 

Climate change

During this year's G8 meeting in Japan, they talked mainly about climate change and the food crisis. The food crisis, which is caused partly by oil prices and climate change, affects the whole world. 

Almost 40 per cent of the harmful gases in the world are produced by the G8 countries. These harmful gases have a negative effect on the world's climate. Climate change is causing drought and floods, which in turn cause food crops to fail. Reducing the harmful gases depends on the decisions and actions of the G8 countries. 


- Mbulelo Baloyi

General

XENOPHOBIA UNDERSTANDING REFUGEES' RIGHTS

XENOPHOBIA UNDERSTANDING REFUGEES' RIGHTS sadmin
The attacks on foreigners earlier this year in different parts of the country have made us more aware of refugees' problems. In line with our Constitution, everyone, including refugees, has the right to equal protection under the law. 
 
More than 62 people, including 21 South Africans, died during the attacks on foreigners earlier this year. 
 
Police arrested 273 people and 159 case dockets involving 927 suspects have been sent to special courts. These courts deal with cases relating to xenophobic attacks. 
 
Bill of Rights
 
The Bill of Rights of our Constitution says everyone is equal before the law. This also applies to immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights. 
 
The basic rights of refugees include health services, education and accommodation, as well as protection under the law. 
 
Programmes
 
To help us understand refugees' rights, government has started education programmes. They aim to teach communities to respect and know the rights of foreigners in our country. 
 
It is important to educate people about tolerance as this will help to prevent similar outbreaks of attacks in the future. 
 
The Department of Home Affairs has set up a Counter-Xenophobia Unit, which educates people about tolerance and diversity. The department has also published an educational comic booklet encouraging people to accept and tolerate refugees. The South African Human Rights Commission and the University of Johannesburg have set up similar programmes. 
 
Refugee permit
 
People seeking refuge in this country should report to the closest Refugee Reception Centre within 14 days of arriving in the country. 
 
They must complete application forms and must be willing to have their fingerprints taken. They also have to state in detail why they are seeking refugee status. 
 
A trained refugee reception officer will help them with their applications. 
 
After completing their application forms, they will be asked to return after 30 days to hear the outcome of their application. 
 
People seeking refuge can only work in the country lawfully if they have a refugee permit. 
 
 
- Mbulelo Baloyi
General

YOUTH 'I'M FINE WITHOUT DRUGS'

YOUTH 'I'M FINE WITHOUT DRUGS' sadmin

The Ke-Moja anti-drug ambassadors were announced in July. This special event was organised by government in partnership with the National Youth Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 

Ke-Moja, "I'm Fine without Drugs", is an anti-drug partnership campaign aimed at educating communities on the dangers of drug abuse and getting them to take action against it. 

Role models

The ambassadors for the Ke-Moja anti-drug campaign are sports and entertainment personalities who act as role models for the youth. They include people like football star Teko Modise, South African marathon champion Mbualeni Mulaudzi, television actors Thabiso Mokheti and Sipho Ngwenya, and radio personality DJ Fresh. 

Mokheti, who plays the role of Samuel in the television soapie Generations, said he wanted to tell young people they did not need alcohol or drugs to have fun. A former drug user himself, he said he wanted to encourage those already abusing drugs to seek help. 

World report

The ambassadors were announced just a few hours after the release of the World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. It shows that 26 million people world-wide are addicted on drugs.

General

YOUTH MATRICS WILL GET NEW NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATES

YOUTH MATRICS WILL GET NEW NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATES sadmin
Grade 12 learners all over South Africa have started to prepare for their matric exams. This year's matric learners are the first group to write their exams under the new curriculum and who will be awarded the new National Senior Certificate. 
 
Outcomes-based
 
All learners in schools, from Grade R to Grade 12, are now learning under the outcomes based National Curriculum Statement. 
 
This year marks the first year that all learners in South Africa are on the same national school curriculum. 2008 completed the cycle of changes that was started in 1998. 
 
Pass rate
 
Teaching for matrics will continue until the end of October, leaving learners and teachers with more time for revision. The Department of Education said it hoped this would improve the pass rate for 2008. 
 
Last year, the national pass rate for Grade 12 was 65, 2 per cent. This was below the 2006 pass rate by 1,4 per cent. 
 
Same standard
 
In line with the new curriculum, exams in all the provinces are now set at a national level. This ensures that the exams are on the same standard. Mathematics or Maths Literacy, as well as Life Orientation are now compulsory subjects. 
 
The majority of Grade 12 learners in this academic year have registered for maths and science subjects. It is the largest number ever registered for maths and science in Grade 12. 
 
 
- BuaNews
Education

Youth enterprise mentorship project mentoring: The first steps to success

Youth enterprise mentorship project mentoring: The first steps to success sadmin

Just like a small child who is learning to walk needs help to take its first steps, a young business needs help to get started. 

Many small businesses fail even though young entrepreneurs have the knowledge and skills to run their own businesses. A study by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund has shown that this is because young people lack business experience and mentors. 

Important role

A mentor is someone with a lot of experience and skills who helps a younger inexperienced person. In a new business the mentor plays an important role in getting the business started. The young entrepreneur learns from the mentor how to run the business successfully. 

Skills

The Youth Enterprise Mentorship Project was started to get mentors for young business people. The aim is to help them develop their business ideas, knowledge and skills. If necessary, the mentors will give advice even after the businesses are up and running. 

Apply

Young business people who need a mentor have to apply to Umsobomvu. 

Depending on the kind of help they need, Umsobomvu will then match them with a professional mentor. They will look at things like the type of business, the problems they have and where the business is located. 

The mentors on their database include experienced business people, business consultants, senior and middle managers and postgraduate students with business experience. 

Services

The mentors provide services like one-on-one mentoring, general business mentoring, specialist mentoring, group mentoring and peer mentoring. 

Services are matched with specific needs. For example, for a specialist industry like a restaurant, a mentor who has a lot of experience in this field will be appointed. 

The mentorship programme lasts for a period of two years. 

Voucher

Apart from the mentorship project, Umsobomvu also started the Business Development Services Voucher programme for young entrepreneurs. 

To qualify for this programme, males must be between 18 and 35 years old. Women of any age can apply. 

The programme gives help in the form of money vouchers. The vouchers are used to pay professional service providers for support services given to the businesses. These include services like accounting, bookkeeping, marketing, branding and design of business forms, and business and financial administration. 

- Muzi Mkhwanazi

General