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Don’t let a supplier get away with supplying a product that doesn’t work or a service that is not what you agreed to.

“Consumer protection starts with consumers, and it’s up to you to know and protect your rights as enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act of 2008,” says National Consumer Commission (NCC) Acting Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza.

 “As a consumer, it starts with you taking the right action when you feel that you have been treated unfairly. You have the right to be heard and to get redress. Consumer protection bodies are there to protect you,” she adds.

Soweto-based tech entrepreneurs have been selected by Telkom to be part of its township innovation incubator programme.

The 18-month business programme aims to boost 11 technology-driven entrepreneurs in various areas of business.

Small and emerging farmers in the North West can now attend basic hatchery management training at the government-owned Kgora Farmer Training Centre near Mahikeng. 

The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, has announced that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) has increased from R21.69 to R23.19 per hour for the year 2022, with effect from 01 March 2022.

“It is illegal and unfair labour practice for an employer to change working hours or other employment conditions in order to implement the NMW. The NMW is the amount payable for ordinary hours of work and excludes payment of allowances such as transportation, tools, food, or lodging tips, bonuses, and gifts,” said Minister Nxesi.

Government departments are working together to curb drug use in communities.

During a webinar on the treatment for and care of people with drug abuse disorders, the Department of Social Development (DSD) revealed that through a partnership with the police and health officials, DSD-run drug centres help rehabilitate drug offenders, rather than merely convicting and punishing them.

It is hoped that through treatment, people are steered away from a lifetime of drug abuse and criminal behaviour.

ONE OF the country’s youngest school principals shows that with dedication and passion, Maths and Science can be mastered.

Ngqwala Senior Secondary School Principal Abonga Mdze (29) led his school to an 88.6% matric pass rate in 2021 – up from 45% in 2019.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently delivered the State of the Nation Address, during which he gave feedback on government programmes over the past year and announced new plans for 2022 and beyond. Vuk’uzenzele unpacks the programmes in numbers.

Economy and jobs

R1.2 trillion – value of the target set by government nearly four years ago to mobilise new investment over five years.

The gift of blood from a donor saved the life of Mosa Mphore (34) after complications from an earlier kidney transplant.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says efforts are underway to make it easy for small businesses to do business in South Africa.

Minister Nxesi was speaking during a debate on the 2022 State of the Nation Address recently.

“We were mindful of the fact that businesses go through seasons and stages and we were deliberate in making sure our labour laws speak to their twists and turns.

As a way to revive South Africa’s economy, government has identified various sectors to stimulate investment and job creation.

“The hemp and cannabis sector has the potential to create more than 130 000 new jobs. We are streamlining the regulatory processes so that the hemp and cannabis sector can thrive like it is in other countries, such as Lesotho,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.