Editor

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is looking at alternative and interactive ways to tackle substance abuse among youth.

This is according to SAPS Section Commander for Substance Abuse Programmes Refilwe Matlamela.

Matlamela was speaking at a webinar facilitated by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster to introduce the roll-out of substance abuse prevention awareness campaign by SAPS, Department of Social Development (DSD), Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) and Government Communication and Information System.

Improved connectivity in underserviced areas will enable better health, education and internet services to communities that need them the most.

Government’s SA Connect project aims to achieve 80% broadband access in communities and government facilities over the next three years.

Queueing pension grant recipients in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, are benefiting from free blood pressure checks. 

In a collaboration between the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, the South African Post Office and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), grant recipients are being screened for hypertension, says SAMRC researcher Jane Simmonds.

Did you know that spouses, life partners and children can claim benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) following the death of a contributor?

According to the UIF, qualifying workers are people who worked for more than 24 hours per month and contributed 1% of their monthly remuneration to the UIF. Their employer must have contributed another 1%.

An Eastern Cape mixed-use development has been earmarked by government as a catalyst for the region's economic growth.

The R551-million development is creating employment for artisans such as Phakamani Ntantiso (34), who is the junior foreman of a housing development project for Ikhono Techni.

From the Union Buildings

During the recent Presidential Imbizo in Mahikeng, several citizens raised concerns about the pace of the fight against corruption. They told me what I have heard in many other communities across the country: that the perpetrators of such acts are known, not least because they flaunt the proceeds of their crimes.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the easing of several restrictions as part of Adjusted Alert Level 1.

Addressing the nation on developments in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic recently, President Ramaphosa said the approach going forward is that both indoor and outdoor venues can now take up to 50% of their capacity provided that the criteria for entrance are proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test not older than 72 hours.

South Africa has already reached 95% of the five-year R1.2 trillion investment target set by President Cyril Ramaphosa four years ago to bolster economic growth and stimulate employment.

President Ramaphosa confirmed this recently, at the 4th SA Investment Conference (SAIC), which reaffirmed SA as an attractive business, investment and tourism destination.

The conference secured a further 80 investment pledges, valued at R332 billion. 

A mother of three has been able to leave her abusive husband and start a career, thanks to help from the Nonceba Family Counselling Centre.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the Vodacom Virtual Classroom innovation allows the country to have all learning resources in one fit-for-purpose portal designed by experts, with the interest of learners and teachers in mind. 

Minister Motshekga was speaking at the handover ceremony of Vodacom's Virtual Classroom solution held in Midrand.