Director: Information Technology 

Chief Directorate: Information Management and Technology 
Salary: All-inclusive remuneration package of R948 174 per annum
Centre: Pretoria
Reference number: 3/1/5/1-18/22 
Closing date: 10 August 2018

Enquiries: Mr T Vandayar: (012) 473 0304

Applications: The DG, Government Communication and Information System, Private Bag X 745, Pretoria 0001, or hand deliver to Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Cnr Francis Baard & Festival streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

For attention: Mr S Matshageng

For more information on the requirements of the position, kindly visit www.gcis.gov.za. Correspondence will be limited to successful candidates only. If you have not been contacted within a month after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

This is a re-advertisement and candidates who applied previously do not need to re-apply.

Hlengiwe Ngobese

A KwaZulu-Natal land restitution project shows what can be achieved through hard work and commitment.

The success of the Amangcolosi Community Trust land claim is an example of how land brings dignity and unity to a community.

In 2004, about 401 families successfully claimed their land back through the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.

Over the years this community has been able to build a fully-fledged business called Ithuba Agriculture which employs about 500 people in Kranskop in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ithuba has 8 000 hectares of land and farms sugar cane, timber, white maize, kiwi fruit and chillies.

With the business being so successful, a decision was made to plough some of the bounty back into the community and four homes were built for poverty-stricken families.

Beneficiary Nomthandazo Dlamini said she could not believe it when she was told that Amangcolosi wanted to build her a house.

“I am a widow and with four unemployed children, I am struggling to make ends meet. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would one day own a big house. When I received the keys l felt like crying,” she said.

Dlamini’s home has three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and bathroom.

The CEO of Ithuba Agriculture Sibusiso Dlamini said his company is always seeking ways to uplift the community.

“Prior to handing over these new homes, we had built five classrooms at a school that had only four classrooms and donated a computer lab with 30 laptops to another school. We will continue doing good things for the community because it is important to have humility and build our society,” he said.

Ithuba has supply agreements with a number of companies, including Gledhow Sugar Mill and NCT Forestry Co-operative. Over and the above the employment opportunities created by Ithuba on behalf of the Amangcolosi Community Trust, the company has been paying yearly dividends of R6 000 to the 401 families who are part of the trust. 

Breastmilk is one of the best ways that a mother can give her baby all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions which keeps the baby healthy and protects against diseases.

Every mother who chooses to exclusively breastfeed her baby in the first six months is doing the best she can to help her baby grow and stay healthy.

Breastfeeding and adding formula, water, teas, cereals and other foods, in the first six months of the baby’s life increases the baby's risk of getting diarrhoea, pneumonia, malnutrition and allergies.

With the world celebrating World Breastfeeding Week from 1-7 August the Western Cape Department of Health gave a few tips from mothers on how best to care for their little one.

Why must I breastfeed exclusively?

Breastfeeding will assist with your baby’s brain, teeth and jaw development. It also helps you to get to know your baby. Breastfeeding is good for the mom because it helps to decrease bleeding after birth, as well as the chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer and helps with weight control after pregnancy.

Why does my baby need breast milk?

The first milk produced by the breast is sticky, yellow-white early milk called colostrum and should be your baby’s first food. It is normal for mothers to produce only a small amount of colostrum. This milk is rich in protective factors and vitamins and acts as your baby’s first immunisation.

When do I start breastfeeding?

The best time to start breastfeeding is in the first hour after birth while your baby is lying skin-to-skin with you. This is the time when your baby’s sucking reflex action is at its strongest. Most new-borns are ready to find the nipple and start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.

How do I know that my baby is getting enough breast milk?

• The baby should be gaining weight according to the growth chart in line with the weight and age of the baby.
• The baby has about 6-8 wet nappies in 24 hours.
• The baby is happy and satisfied.  

Written by Amu Chauke

The astronomy hub that is taking place in the Karoo is not only transforming science but also dramatically changing lives.

On course to becoming an astronomer from the Karoo, 21-year-old Janethon de Klerk’s journey has not been smooth sailing.

After growing up with her grandparents in the small Northern Cape town of Van Wyksvlei, she moved to Carnarvon and enrolled in Grade 10 at Carnarvon High School. At the time, she moved in with her single mother, who is a domestic worker.

Things started to look up when she got a bursary from the Square Kilometre Array South Africa (SKA SA) in 2014 before starting Grade 11. The bursary also includes hostel accommodation and scholar support.

She continued to do well in her studies and received a tertiary education bursary from SKA SA.

Janethon is studying towards as BSc degree in physics and mathematics at the University of the Free State. In her first year of study she achieved three distinctions for computer literacy, mathematics and chemistry.   In an interview with Vuk’uzenzele, De Klerk said her first semester was her toughest challenge – but thanks to the support she received from her family and the SKA SA school programme co-ordinator, Chantel Mathison, she not only pulled through but excelled.

De Klerk is one of the many Northern Cape students to receive bursaries from the SKA project office. 

During the recent launch of the 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope in Carnarvon, Deputy President David Mabuza said 961 bursaries in science and engineering have been awarded so far. This includes 133 bursaries for recipients from other African countries.

“Next year is my third year, then I will have my undergrad computer science degree. I also want to include astronomy modules in my Honours year,” said De Klerk, explaining how her studies and her exposure to the SKA SA have sparked her determination to aim for the stars and become an astronomer. 

South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world and it is up to all of us to change this.

Three years ago, the WETHEBRAVE.co.za campaign kicked off asking gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to be #BraveEnough to make healthy sexual choices like wearing a condom, getting tested regularly and knowing their status.

Today, the large-scale, national sexual health campaign has, in partnership with Health4Men, been responsible for enabling over 490 000 men to be tested at MSM-friendly clinics and giving over 12 000 men access to HIV treatment. 

“We are incredibly proud of all we have achieved in such a short space of time. MSM are South Africa’s most at-risk population for HIV acquisition and transmission. We are so pleased with the strides we have made in changing behaviour to encourage responsible sex, reduce HIV transmission and promote health-seeking behaviour,” says Head of Marketing at the Anova Health Institute Nina Morris Lee, which is spearheading the campaign.

 Anova Health Institute received funding from the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Monde Ngwane, a student who chairs a forum at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) College of Health Sciences, shares that WETHEBRAVE.co.za has played a large part in enabling their advocacy work in the MSM community.

“A lot of people have now been enlightened about health tips, sexual safety and the resources available to them through WETHEBRAVE.co.za, particularly because of the way that the information is packaged and distributed. This is changing the way that we, as a community, relate to and access information.”

Fellow UKZN student, Sthembiso Mkhize, first heard about the WETHEBRAVE.co.za campaign at an event held on campus.

“They taught us about having safe sex, how to use condoms and how we could access medical services for our sexual health. Because of the way that they shared the information, I was able to listen properly and now I practice safe sex.”

Over the past three years, WETHEBRAVE.co.za has addressed HIV prevention and treatment issues in an affirming, non-judgemental and sex-positive way that is also entertaining and engaging.

WETHEBRAVE.co.za has also sought to stamp out the stigma that still surrounds lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people - one of the major deterrents to testing.

Written by Nonkululeko Mathebula

Gauteng residents expressed different strong views on whether Parliament should amend section 25 of the Constitution and expropriate land without compensation.

A committee set up by Parliament was given the task of reviewing Section 25 of the Constitution to make it possible for the state to expropriate land without compensation.

Parliament invited the public to participate in the debate, through a series of hearings and by engaging with the committee.

So far the hearings have taken place in KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

The committee was this week listening to the views of South Africans in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

One of the Gauteng hearings took place at a packed Westonaria Civic Centre which saw people queueing from as early as 7am to express their views.

Some members of the community staged a peaceful protest in efforts to have their voices heard.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele Keamogetswe Monedi (26) said land should be expropriated without compensation, to empower black people and restore their dignity.

“I’m here not to stand up for myself but for every black person out there as well. This land is ours. It was forcefully taken from us and now we want it back,” said Monedi.

He added that if the Constitution is amended and land is expropriated he would like to start a property investment business and create job opportunities for the youth.

He dreams of building a lasting legacy, not only for his children but for other people as well.

Kelebogile Ikalageng on the other hand had an opposing view and stated that land should be expropriated but with compensation.

“I think that our economy would suffer if land is expropriated without compensation.”

She said if section 25 of the Constitiution is amended young people must be given training on how to work the land and how to farm.

 Meanwhile farmer Annekie Anderson said land expropriation will cripple farmers who owned land acquired before the apartheid regime.

“The government must leave the farms to people who know what to do with them but should government resort to expropriating land, then they should pay our debt with the banks,” said Anderson.

The committee will continue to listen to the views of communities in the West Rand for the rest of this week.  

 

 

The students will complete their sixth-year studies and integration into the South African health system.

Zazi Zulu is one of the 260 fifth-year medical students who are pleased to be back home after having left South Africa to study medicine in Cuba six years ago.

He left his home in the Umgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal in 2012 as a starry-eyed 17-year-old matriculant to pursue his dream of studying medicine.

Zulu was one of the bursary recipients who was awarded an opportunity to study abroad as part of the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) medical collaboration programme of the Department of Health.

Through the programme, the department awards qualifying and deserving students an opportunity to study medicine in Cuba free of charge.

The NMFC programme was established by presidents Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro in 1996 as part of the various bilateral agreements between South Africa and Cuba.

The programme was established to address the over-concentration of health personnel in urban areas and in the exclusionary private sector; insufficient personnel who were also not in possession of the necessary training and the under-provision of health care in rural and peri-urban areas, as well as informal settlements.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recently welcomed the students back into the country.

Minister Motsoaledi was accompanied by his Deputy Joe Phaahla together with families and loved ones to welcome the fifth-year medical students at a ceremony held at OR Tambo International Airport.

The students will complete their sixth-year studies and integration into the South African health system. They will spend the next 18 months of study at various South African universities, and will then be dispatched to their districts of origin to start working as doctors.

Upon arrival, Zulu said he was happy to be reunited with his family of ten members. Each one of them wore a specially-designed black T-shirt with the words ‘Dr Zazi Zulu’ and carried a big banner with the message: “Welcome Back, Mageba.”

“I am very pleased with the warm reception that we have received upon our return. I am looking forward to applying all the knowledge that I have gained in Cuba. I want to use my skills and expertise and work with diligence for the benefit of my fellow compatriots,” he said.  

Did you know?

About 590 doctors have already qualified from the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) medical collaboration programme since it started in 1996.

Written by Albert Pule

A government-run skills development programme is giving the youth a chance to grow their future in the hospitality industry.

A few months after burying his mother, Smangaliso Radebe was shot, spent time in hospital and was almost abandoned by family and close friends.

The 27-year-old from Zola in Soweto was living on borrowed time, hanging out with the wrong crowd and losing touch with loved ones.

Getting shot was his wake-up call and he decided to mend his ways and focus on his education.

He registered for a hospitality management course at the South West Gauteng College in 2013 and graduated in 2016. 

He then did an internship at the college before joining the national Department of Tourism's National Food Safety Assurers Youth Training Programme. 

Radebe and over 20 of his counterparts from the North West and about 140 from Gauteng recently graduated from the youth training programme.

"When we started, things were simple but as time went by, it started getting tougher. But with determination and the will to learn, we made it and it feels good to be recognised by your own government."

The graduation ceremony was officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism Elizabeth Thabethe and MEC for Tourism in the North West Desbo Mohono.

Endorsed by Food and Beverage Seta, learners received accredited NQF level 2, 3 and 5 qualifications in practices related to the manufacturing, storage and processing of food in the hospitality industry.

In the 2017/2018 financial year, the Department of Tourism approved the training of 500 learners as Food Safety Assurers nationwide. The training programme consists of 30 percent theory and 70 percent practical training. Learners are placed at various hospitality establishments for experiential learning.

Radebe says he is thankful to the department for the opportunity to further his studies.

"Before my mother died she told me that she saw me as a graduate and I'm glad that I could amount to something in my life."

Radebe is currently doing a six-month internship at Glenburn Lodge in Muldersdrift. 

Written by Odas Ngobeni

Nyadzani Rerani is an entrepreneur at heart who has proven that farming has a wealth of benefits.

When Nyadzani Rerani completed his degree in nature conservation six years ago the idea of working for someone else was furthest from his mind.

Instead the 28-year-old wanted to be an entrepreneur venturing into the business of farming in the rural village of Maluma outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo.

His dream was further encouraged when he started to frequently visit a 250 hectare farm which belonged to his friend’s father in Nwanedi village which opened his mind to how exciting farming could be.

 Rerani said at the time his father had 15 hectares of land that was scheduled to be sold.

“I pleaded with my father not to sell our land situated in Ha-Mphaila because I had plans to farm it.”

Rerani’s very first stint in farming was planting mustard spinach on a half-hectare patch of land. From this harvest he saved every cent so he could grow the business. He decided to plant butternut on a one hectare piece of land.

“In the following season I decided to plant the butternut in two hectares and was able to hire one person to assist me with harvesting. I was already seeing myself as a commercial farmer and I worked very hard,” he says.

Things took a turn for Rerani when a hailstorm damaged everything on his farm. However this did not discourage him. Instead he registered his company in 2016 with the help of the Small Enterprise Development Agency while the National Youth Development Agency helped him with a business plan.

 Rerani now employs 18 permanent workers, 14 of which are young people, but he also employs as many as 90 seasonal workers. 

“The government has assisted me with ten workers through the EPWP and I also have an intake of 11 learners from TVET colleges who are doing experiential learning in my farm.”

He has leased an additional eight hectares of land where he is planting gem squash, pepperdew, chillies, tomatoes, green beans and butternuts. He supplies major retail shops around the district of Vhembe and also export his tomatoes to Mozambique.   

Written by Galoome Shopane

Opening the curtain on pain has helped not only a young playwright but her audience too.

Jane Mpholo is a survivor of gender-based violence who has taken her pain and put it on the centre stage, allowing others to heal through her play called Psalm 69.

The 29-year-old who hails from Botshabelo in the Free State was raped at the age of 13. She decided to document her journey of healing through a play that is being showcased at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, an agency of the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Mpholo said she was surprised at how well received her play has been by audience members.

The play tells the story of a young girl who endured tough incidents on her journey to becoming a woman. Having lived not only through sexual assault but also the death of both of her parents to HIV/Aids just weeks apart in her matric year, Mpholo has certainly had her share of tragedy.

However, she said writing and performing the play has been very therapeutic for both her and those who have watched it.

“I’m happy the play has been able to give people hope. Seeing someone’s life change because of my work gives me strength and overwhelms me with joy,” said Mpholo.

For Mpholo, Psalm 69 is more than a Bible scripture that lifted her up when she was going through trying times. It is a way that she can help other people, especially women who have been silenced  to have their say.

“Now that I have found healing I am continuing with the show to provoke discussion and bring about social justice through theatre.”

Psalm 69 has also been part of the Global Leadership Summit under the Institute of Reconciliation and Social Justice which was held at the South African State Theatre, the Olive Tree Theatre and showcased at the Free State Arts Festival.

Psalm 69 will be shown at the University of Free State’s theatre from the 17 -31 August.

Written by Dale Hes

The project has allowed more women to participate in projects in their communities while building their knowledge and a pathway out of poverty.

The chances of climate change affecting farming methods of rural female farmers in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal will be  slim thanks to a project implemented by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The uMgeni Resilience Project is a R102 million project which falls under the Adaptation Fund – an initiative which seeks to assist communities to deal with climate change. The project has changed the way these women go about their activities by encouraging the use of climate resilient crops, organic fertilisers and new ploughing methods.

Matu Gwala received assistance from the uMgeni Resilience Project after struggling to farm her crop due to unpredictable climate events such as heavy rains and drought.

She said that the project allowed her to grow more climate-resilient produce, sell it and make a profit.

" I managed to buy furniture for my house and invested some of the money for my children’s school fees,” said Gwala.

Another farmer, Winnet Dhladhla, had previously used an incorrect planting method where she planted her crops too close together. With the problem sorted out, she was able to make a  profit from her potatoes and from mealies that she grows.

“This has allowed me to feed my family and also make some money on the side,” Dhladhla said.

There are currently about 380 women farmers benefitting from this project in the province.

SANBI’s strategic grants manager, Michael Jennings, said that the project seeks to address the hurdles faced by women farmers.

“The project recognises that women usually do not own assets nor have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in projects due to exclusive local institutions and social norms. It seeks to empower women through an approach focused on engagement, capacity development and access to markets,” said Jennings.

The project has allowed more women to participate in projects in their communities, while building their knowledge and capacity to make their own decisions and chart their own pathways out of poverty.

“Part of this includes training them on organising,  setting up of co-operatives and managing such co-operatives. It also includes learning about climate smart practices that lead to increased production. Through investments in infrastructure such as community gardens, irrigation tunnels, and other equipment, the project has empowered women to own resources and assets,” Jennings explained.   

You might be a young person who has recently graduated from university or college, your future is bright and you have landed your first job.

The fruits of your labour are not being fully enjoyed thanks to ‘black tax’. ‘Black tax’ is a colloquial term used to describe young black people who share their salary with immediate and extended family while trying to manage their own expenses.

With July being National Savings Month the Chief Financial Officer of the Savings Institute Gerald Mwandimbira said often a family may have one person who has graduated from university in a well-paying job. This individual must compete with colleagues who have generational wealth passed on and are not subjected to student loans, debt or black tax.  

“Black tax sees the person’s salary portioned off to support older parents or an extended family, while trying to raise a young family.”

“This puts one’s responsibilities in a “sandwich” and hence this is often called the sandwich generation. The sandwich generation supports the generation above them, as well as the generation below. This makes it difficult for the sandwich generation to save which will in turn pass this tax down to future generations.”

He added that as a consequence of living beyond one’s means and supporting extended family, the sandwich generation has little or no savings.

“This means that the sandwich generation has no safety net in the event of unemployment or emergencies. This group literally lives three to six months away from poverty if income is lost. I often recommend that one measures their wealth in the length of time it would take to deplete savings, living the same current lifestyle. Many people are horrified to find that they are very poor. In fact, using this method, a domestic worker diligently saving is “wealthier” than her boss who lives on debt.”

There are ways in which one can start beating the black tax. The most important of these is to live within your means says Mwandimbira.

Signs that you are living beyond your means:                                                                             

• You save less than five percent  of your net salary
• You spend more on your car than your rent
• You spend more than 30 percent of your salary on a home loan
• You need an overdraft or credit card to survive
• You have unmanageable debt

“Once you know you are living above your means, you need to adjust your lifestyle with a budget plan that makes you financially secure. You may need help from a professional.”

He said people who  live beyond their means might also need to manage their family’s  expectations by allocating what they can spare and also learning to say “no”.

“You may need to be selfish while you repair your finances.  You will also need to start saving first for a safety net, then to invest and create wealth for future generations.”

He added that it is important to save even while paying off debts.

“You will also need to start shopping smarter for the best deal and using financial products and services that offer the best deals. With these first steps, one can start to create wealth which will mean that your next generation will not be trapped in a sandwich.”

State Law Adviser LP7 (02 Posts) (12 Months Contract Appointment)

Reference:18/59/LD
Package: R725 487 – R781 551 per annum (All inclusive Remuneration Package). (Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement
Requirements: LLB or 4 year recognized legal qualification; At least 5 years’ appropriate post qualification litigation/advisory experience; Admission as an Advocate or Attorney; Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Legal Practice Act; Experience in Procedural Law and Taxation of Bills of Costs will be an added advantage; A valid driver’s licence;
Closing date: 03 August 2018
Enquiries:  Ms P Leshilo (012) 357 8240

Note: Interested applicants may visit the following website: www.justice.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za to view the full job specification of the above positions. Applications must be submitted on Form Z83, obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the internet at www.gov.za. A Z83 form & CV must be accompanied by original certified copies of qualifications, identity document and a driver’s licence where necessary. A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Applications that do not comply with the above mentioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical and competency assessment. Candidate will complete a financial disclosure form and also be required to undergo a security clearance. The foreigners or dual citizenship holder must provide the Police Clearance certificate from country of origin.

The DOJ&CD is an equal opportunity employer. In the filling of vacant posts the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996), the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration. Reasonable accommodation shall be applied for People with Disabilities including where drivers licence is a requirement. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within 3 months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Target.

Deputy Director: Risk Management

Directorate: Risk Management, Head Office
Reference No: HR 4/18/08/17HO
Salary: All inclusive: R 697 011 per annum
Enquiries:  Mr. T Zwane, Tel. 012 309 4473
Closing date: 17 August 2018 

Head Office

Chief Director: Human Resources Management: Private Bag X 117, Pretoria, 0001

Applications must be submitted on form Z83, obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the internet at www.gov.za/documents. The fully completed and signed form Z83 should be accompanied by a recently updated, comprehensive CV as well as recently certified copies of all qualification(s) including a Senior Certificate and ID-document [Driver’s license where applicable]. Non-RSA Citizens/Permanent Resident Permit Holders must attach a copy of their Permanent Residence Permits to their applications. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. The Department does not accept applications via fax or email. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, citizenship, credit record checks, qualification verification and employment verification). Where applicable, candidates will be subjected to a skills/knowledge test. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. Successful candidates will be appointed on a probation period of 12 months. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the above post. The successful candidate will be expected to sign a performance agreement. The Department of Labour is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. The employment decision shall be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of the Department. It is the Department’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of this post(s) with a candidate whose transfer / promotion / appointment will promote representativity in line with the numerical targets as contained in our Employment Equity Plan.

The memory of Madiba continues to inspire hope on the African continent.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has called on the media in BRICS countries to explore media partnerships in order to better tell the stories of developing economies to their citizens.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the 3rd BRICS Media  in Cape Town, GCIS Chief Director for Communication Service Agency Donald Liphoko said independent media in the five countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should be part of the conversation and tell the stories of the progress in emerging economies.

“What we really need is to broaden this and have more voices and more active participation from [mainstream media] so they can tell BRICS stories and engage with the vision,” he said.

Liphoko added that this would contribute to the conversation as well as people to people communication to unite citizens in all BRICS countries.

The 3rd BRICS Media Forum saw 120 media delegates from the five countries – as well as guests from Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Liberia and Ghana - converge in Cape Town for the event that was hosted by the Executive Chairperson and Co-Chair of the BRICS Media Forum Cai Mngzhao and Dr Iqbal Surve.

As the country commemorated Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, Liphoko likened the BRICS partnership to those forged by the world icon after his release from prison to usher in a period of peace and post-apartheid prosperity.

“More importantly, the South African government believes it has got a greater role to play in creating an enabling environment for the media to be a positive agent for social transformation," said Liphoko.

He said the country was built from a difficult apartheid history where the media was an instrument to keep people apart.

“We have moved in the last 24 years to an era where the media has partnered with government and society at large to explore and bring to life our vision of a better life for all.

“I am challenging the media to consider BRICS as such an improbable partnership – an opportunity for us to think creatively and come up with improbable solutions to the world’s ills,” he said.

www.SAnews.gov.za 

Written by More Matshediso

Losing a parent through death is devastating and can be the beginning of difficult times for many young people, but for Thabang Mokwele it meant having to work harder in order to survive.

As a child who grew up in a family farm near Ventersdorp in the North West province, Mokwele had to take over the reins when his father passed on in 2009. He was only 22 years old.

“I had to drop out of an Information Technology course in order to sustain the farm after my father’s burial. I could not let the farm die on my watch,” he said.

He is passionate about farming because it has been the main source of income for his family all his life.

Five years later when the family farm was stable he went on to start his own farm Thaba-Kwena Projects PTY (LTD) in Lichtenburg. Recently he was crowned the overall winner for the 2018 Young Farmer of the year award in the North West province.

Mokwele (31) also won the award for Best Youth Commercial Enterprise.

 “I want to thank the department and all the people who supported me to start my business. I am where I am today because of them.” said Mokwele.

His farm specialises in broiler production and he started it with an investment of only about R40 000.

Broiler production is the breeding of chickens  for meat production.

Back in 2014, he started with only 45 000 chickens per cycle but to date the farm has ten broiler houses with a capacity of 15 000 chickens each producing at least 150 000 birds per cycle. The cycle runs for about 35 days.

He has been able to create 12 permanent jobs and employs 16 casual workers.

Mokwele supplies Kroon's Gourmet Chickens with stock through a contract with the company.

The farm received financial support of nearly R1 million from the department to help pay for electricity and purchase of feed.

He encourages other young South Africans to look at farming as a business that can yield many  financial benefits.  

Written by More Matshediso

Youth are given an opportunity to learn more about the tourism sector and share this knowledge with visitors.

The North West Department of Tourism is providing young people with tour guide training allowing them to participate in the travel sector.

Bofelo Ngwenya of Mahikeng is one of the 100 young people who benefitted from the tour guide training programme.

The 29-year-old started her own travel and tourism business after struggling to find a job. She said the tour guide training has assisted her to improve her business expertise.

“I mostly benefitted in acquiring courage to interact with my customers who are tourists in our province. I am now able to teach them a little bit about the history of our province and recommend places they can visit throughout their stay,” said Ngwenya.

She added that the programme also helped her improve her marketing skills which has helped her business to grow because she can now take her clients to different places without getting lost.

The provincial Registrar from the department Gabriel Dichabe said this year the programme aims to improve the training by increasing the number of recruits as well as enhancing the scale of modules.

“Our target is to train 200 youth in culture guiding and 40 more in adventure guiding across all districts.” he said.

The programme offers skills to new entrants ranging from cultural communication and presentation, first aid, entrepreneurship and marketing as well as knowledge on heritage and the history of different tourist attractions in the province. 

Those who are interested in pursuing a career in Tour Guiding are encouraged to submit an updated CV, one page motivational letter and certified copies of their identity documents and Grade 12 certificates to Gabriel Dichabe gdichabe@nwpg.gov.za or Molebogeng Morubane mmorubane@nwpg.gov.za. Alternatively they can drop them off at the nearest Tourism Offices, Municipality and Cultural Authority. 

For more information contact 018 387 7801.

The innovative wheelchairs are “amphibious” in that they are able to move easily on sand and float on water.

South Africa is renowned for its spectacular coastlines, with our sunny beaches along the eastern and western shores being hailed as some of the best in the world. Every year, thousands of tourists and locals flock to the seaside to play and create holiday memories with family, but not much thought is given to the unique challenges faced by the disabled in enjoying time at the beach.

Taking this into account, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), together with the Ford Motor Company Fund, has donated “amphibious wheelchairs” to Blue Flag beaches in four coastal municipalities in South Africa.

The chairs will make beaches universally accessible to those with disabilities and create awareness around spaces becoming more accessible to all.

The innovative wheelchairs are “amphibious” in that they are able to move easily on sand and enter and float on water, said WESSA National Coastal Coordinator Robert Slater.

WESSA implements the international Blue Flag programme in South Africa which ensures beaches meet global standards of safety, cleanliness, access to amenities and environmental management, among other criteria.

The City of Cape Town, Overstrand, Bitou and Kouga municipalities were awarded the chairs based on their existing disabled access to beaches and their commitment to making their Blue Flag beaches usable for all people. The chairs will be freely available for disabled beachgoers to use at Blue Flag beaches to be determined by the recipient municipalities.

Director for Education and Global Community Development at the Ford Motor Company Fund Mike Schmidt said, “This is yet another example of how mobility can improve the quality of life for people in many different ways. We’re happy to support this unique project that will allow more people to fully experience the joys of the beach - from traveling along the sandy shores to going into the water.”

The new South African South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) gold card does not allow for illegal deductions and fraudulent transactions to take place.

The Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Comprehensive Social Security said on Thursday.

“The card is designed to protect social grant beneficiaries from illegal deductions for things such as electricity, airtime and loans. The only deductions permitted on the new gold SASSA card will be for funeral policies on non-child grants, which should also not be more than ten percent of the total grant,” said the IMC in a statement read by Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.

With this card beneficiaries can make three free cash withdrawals from any participating merchant such as Shoprite and Boxer one free over the counter cash at the Post Office, free swipes purchase payments at all merchants and one free ATM balance enquiry per month to mention a few.

“The new SASSA gold card is easily identifiable. It is gold in colour and has the country’s coat of arms on the right hand side as well as the letters ‘SASSA’ inscribed on the left. The new SASSA gold card offers social grants beneficiaries’ real benefits which beneficiaries that have migrated to it are already enjoying.”

Government urges all social grants beneficiaries to exercise their choice of a grant payment method carefully and elect to receive their grants through a method that will not result in their own exploitation.

“We wish to reiterate as well that the old white SASSA/CPS card will be completely phased out by the end of September 2018. It will no longer be in use hence we call on people who still have the old card to migrate to the new gold card issued by the Post Office.”

Implementing the court instruction

SASSA and SAPO signed a legal agreement on the 19th June which provides a legal framework on how they will work together during the transitional period.

“Key to this agreement is to ensure a smooth transition that will not disadvantage the beneficiaries in any way,” said the statement.

Minister Mokonyane said the partnership between SASSA and SAPO was bearing fruit despite minor disruptions.

“As a result of this cooperation between SASSA and SAPO we are happy to announce that in June we have reached a milestone of more than a million people who have been successfully migrated from the old CPS card to the new SAPO card issued by the Post Office as a preferred payment channel of all social grants.”

SASSA and SAPO plan to migrate all social grants beneficiaries receiving their grants in cash at the CPS pay-points by end of August 2018.

A $10 billion investment pledge into the South African energy sector by Saudi Arabia is set to enhance energy security, create capacity and reduce the cost of energy in South Africa.

The pledge was made during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State visit to Saudi Arabia.

“This commitment from the Kingdom is a demonstration of confidence in our economy and gives further motivation to South Africa’s drive to raise $100 billion in new investment over the next five years to create jobs and for development,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President characterised his State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a remarkable success. He engaged in official talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and the government of Saudi Arabia during his one-day State visit.

The President was accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Defence and Military Veterans; Energy and Police as well as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

During the visit, Saudi Arabia pledged support for South Africa to be accorded observer status in the Organization for Islamic Co-operation (OIC).

The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.

It aims to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.

Observer status will give South Africa a number of privileges in terms of accessing developmental co-operation support, especially its financial institutions that support infrastructure development as well.

www.SAnews.gov.za  

Written by Jauhara Khan

As South Africans struggle under increasing financial pressure, a savings buffer becomes even more important, yet there is less focus on saving and people are increasingly using credit to fund their basic needs.

That is according to South African Savings Association CEO Gerald Mwandiambira.

He added that debt creates a vicious spiral of debt especially for young people. “It important for those who are able to save to use all the instruments available to improve their long-term financial sustainability.” Mwandiambira shared a few tips to help you save:

• Set a Target: It is important to set and write down important savings targets such as an Emergency Fund, Holiday Fund and other targeted savings.
• Automated Savings: Debit orders to Savings Accounts allow automated saving.
• Group Savings: Start or join a Stokvel or Investment Club with family and friends.
• Savings Buddy: Allow your partner or friend to be a savings buddy whom you meet with regularly to discuss your savings journey.
• Baby Gifts: You can seed a child’s future savings by requesting baby gifts of cash to deposit into a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or even taking out a Retirement Annuity (RA) for a baby.
• Children: Open TFSA accounts for all your children to maximise the benefit they receive from these accounts. Set up debit orders to contribute to these accounts as they grow up together with cash gifts they receive on birthdays. You can encourage grandparents and other family to also contribute regularly.
• 13th Cheque: Ask your employer payroll to save for a 13th cheque paid to you in December by lowering your salary. This extra pay cheque will allow you to ride out the festive period and New Year expenses without major impact
• on your finances.
• Domestic Help: Set up a Savings account or Retirement Annuity for your domestic helper. These important members of our families are often forgotten in future planning. 

Written by More Matshediso

Two outstanding young people put the country on the map in the tennis sporting code.

South African tennis players have made their country proud when they made history at this year’s Wimbledon tournament in London.

Kgothatso Montjane was the first black South African woman to play at Wimbledon and she reached the semi-finals.

The 32-year-old Montjane who hails from Limpopo is a wheelchair tennis player who won the hearts of many South Africans through her performance.

She took to Twitter to express her appreciation at the end of her journey in the competition.

“It’s been an incredible journey reaching my first ever Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon. Thank you so much, your love and support has been amazing,” said Montjane.

Another South African who kept the South African flag flying high was Kevin Anderson who became the first South African since 1921 to reach the Wimbledon men's final this year.

The world did not see him coming until he beat the tournament’s defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter finals..

Anderson kept on until he reached the finals where he played against the 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

The Serbian player beat Anderson at the Wimbledon 2018 men’s final for his 13th Grand Slam title.

The 23-year-old Anderson said: “It means so much for me to have played in the Wimbledon final. There are so many positives and great memories I will be taking with me. Thanks to everyone from South Africa and around the world for your support and messages. It has been an incredibly special fortnight.”

He also did not forget to congratulate his rival, with whom he took a picture at the end of the tournament.

“Congratulations Novak Djokovic. You are a true champion of our sport and it was an honour to share Centre Court with you.

Kevin has engraved himself in the history books of our country. He will go down as one of the best.

Written by More Matshediso

Stronger TVET colleges  will improve the provision of technical qualifications.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are a high priority for government because they play a critical role in addressing the current skills gaps in South Africa. 

That is according to Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor who was speaking at the official opening of Capricorn College for TVET’s Central Office in Polokwane in Limpopo.

The college opened its Central Office in the city  to ensure the smooth running of its four campuses based in Polokwane, Seshego, Senwabarwana and Ramokgopa. These institutions provide tertiary education to about 18 000 students.

Minister Pandor said stronger colleges will expand the provision of mid-level technical and occupational qualifications that will lead directly into paid work for the growing numbers of young people leaving the schooling system.

“Government wants more young people to attain skills and competencies that will help them find jobs or create their own enterprises,” she said.

She said colleges are able to establish links with industry so they can increase employment prospects of students.

The Acting Principal of the college Amos Thema told Vuk’uzenzele that it was necessary for the college to have a central office so that it can continue to provide education to students without unnecessary hindrances.

“When the college opened its doors in 2003 we only had about 7000 students but now we have grown in leaps and bounds and it had become difficult to run the college without having a central office,” he said.

Although each campus had its own administrative block, Thema said core administration work is done at the central office, and that the office was needed to accommodate about 100 staff members who could no longer be accommodated on campuses due to limited space.

The newly revamped state-of-the-art six-story building consists of about 64 offices, parking, three boardrooms, two staffrooms, two chambers, three store-rooms and a wellness room. 

Gender based violence is one of the most devastating social challenges facing our young democracy. Every day we hear about abuse against women and children, or read about violence, including murder and rape.

The scourge of violence against women and children resembles an epidemic that is spreading through society, sparing no social group or class. It shows no sign of abating. The data released by StatsSA in June shows that despite our joint initiatives to combat the scourge, it is getting worse. What must be stated here is that gender-based violence is not caused by a virus, it is caused by people.

Unlike a virus that is often transmitted through coughing or physical, this epidemic is spread through attitudes and behaviour.

I don’t believe that a man is born with the premise that he has dominion over women.

Instead, this view is handed down from generation to generation and eventually is amplified through social customs, culture and popular media.

It is implied in the social and economic structure of society where men occupy most positions of authority and responsibility and even earn more and receive greater social recognition than women.

This arrangement, which we know as patriarchy, is not natural. It is made by people and as such it can be taken apart by us all working together as a society.

Ending the scourge of abuse against women and children starts with you and me.   Let us take responsibility.

If we are to end violence against women and children, we need to confront patriarchy in all its forms and manifestations and for men to play a key role by, among others, organising themselves in order to turn against gender-based violence.

An example of sustained action by men is the recent #100MenMarch that took place first in Tshwane, and then around the country.

In the true spirit of “Thuma Mina” or  Send Me, government organised a demonstration in partnership with various social partners. Thousands of men around the country marched in a joint initiative to stop the violence.

The march drew sectors of society, such as government, business, labour, faith-based organisations, non-profit and media organisations in an effort to stop violence against women and children.  

The men who took part in the march decided to become agents of change. I hope their actions have inspired others, especially perpetrators to end the violence.

Those violently assaulting women and children need to realise that their actions have a lasting effect on their victims, and that their actions will determine the kind of society our children live in tomorrow.

We must help women reclaim agency over their lives and bodies.  The time has come for all of us to speak with one voice and take a stand.  Just as we did during the apartheid struggle we must mobilise all sectors of society against this scourge.

As men there is nothing that compels us to hurt those who are vulnerable.

Our country will never be truly free until all our women are fully emancipated from the degradation of poverty, the indignity of sexism and patriarchy, and the endemic violence daily experienced by them and our children.

Violence perpetrated against women is an offence against the founding values of our Constitution. It goes against all that we seek to build as a nation.

I call on every South African to play their part in ending gender-based violence by reporting incidents of abuse in your community to the nearest police station.

By doing this you are sending out a strong message of non-tolerance allowing our criminal justice system to do its job to prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence.

The Department of Social Development also has a  Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) – a 24-hour call centre that provides support and counselling to victims of gender based violence. Their number is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV).  Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone.

I encourage survivors of gender-based violence to use the services offered by this centre.

A nation that undermines the aspirations of women and oppresses them can have no peace, no social cohesion, and no development.

The neglect and social exclusion of women in our democratic breakthrough would mean a betrayal of the liberation struggle and of freedom stalwarts like Charlotte Maxeke, Ruth First, Dorothy Nyembe, Amina Cachalia, Winnie Mandela and many more.

Our liberation struggle was not just about ending national oppression.

It was also about ending the triple oppression of women. As mothers, sisters, and daughters, black women were oppressed on the basis of race, class, and gender.

The liberation of women demands that those who are a source of life – women - are also freed from sexist and oppressive language.

This is what the new revolution warrants. This is what radical economic emancipation demands.

Women are the soul and fire of our nation.

We say Malibongwe because our women are the bricks building the dreams of a resilient nation.

Let me remind every South African to always have this slogan in their hearts and in their mind that “Change Begins With Me and I Can Motivate Others to end Violence”.

Let us work together to build a safe and better society.    

In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister  Johannes Gerhardus  Strijdom.

The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women. The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. Although Prime Minister Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings to accept the petition, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws.

After the petition was handed over to the secretary of the prime minister, the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom! Since then, the phrase 'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women.

The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995 and the day was declared a national holiday.  (Sahistory.org)

Thanks to a partnership with big business and a local businessman, survivors of gender-based violence will find reporting the crimes a little less daunting.

Fighting gender-based violence is everyone's business but a partnership between the Acornhoek SAPS and the private sector has taken the fight one step further.

A Wendy house was transformed into a welcoming, safe place for victims of gender-based violence.

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) employees in Mbombela rolled up their sleeves and built benches, shelves and painted the structure. New floors, ceilings, a geyser and kitchen unit were also installed in the Wendy house.

"We had challenges before but now we are sure that our victims will be well accommodated and their statements will be dealt with confidentially, respectfully and with dignity,” said Acornhoek SAPS spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane.

With many victims of abuse being afraid to submit a statement against their abuser, the CCBSA Mbombela wanted to provide victim-friendly, private facilities to make the process a little bit easier.

The project also served to cement a relationship between the SAPS, CCBSA and Richard Malapane, who distributes Coca-Cola products to the community of Acornhoek.

As a business owner, Malapane has experienced a few unfortunate criminal incidents that have affected his business. He hopes that a strong relationship with the police will alleviate challenges faced by the community faces.