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The jacaranda trees are in full bloom across the nation’s capital, heralding the start of summer. After a long and difficult winter, the beginning of a new season should fill us with optimism.

When the National State of Disaster was declared in March, our immediate priority was to contain the spread of the virus and provide emergency relief to citizens, communities, workers and businesses.

Over the course of eight months and with the support of our social partners, we rolled out a comprehensive set of measures to limit the social and economic impact of the pandemic.

People who have applied to government to use state-owned land for farming will not have to wait much longer for the outcome of their application. 

Government is moving forward with South Africa’s vitally important land reform process, as it begins to process over
9 000 applications for state-owned land that people will be able to use for farming. 

As part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, the basic education sector aims to create 200 000 employment opportunities for education assistants and 100 000 for general school assistants.

This, according to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), will be accomplished through the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

As government moves rapidly to address the country's economic recovery, the President has urged people to follow all COVID-19 health and safety protocols. 

The Motsepe Foundation has committed over R84 million to help improve infrastructure at underserved schools. 

Matrics will still be able to write their final exams if they test positive for COVID-19. 

The departments of Health and Basic Education (DBE) are working together to ensure that matric learners who test positive for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) or are a close contact of a positive case, can write their final National Senior Certificate examinations if they are well enough to do so. 

While traditional healers play an important role in people’s physical and spiritual well-being, it is vital that people with HIV and AIDS get the right treatment to improve their quality of life.  

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has urged all South Africans to be tested for HIV and, if positive, to take their medication correctly. 

This is because if you know your HIV status and take your treatment properly, you will remain virally suppressed, with a strong immune system. “This plays a crucial role in protecting you from contracting other diseases, including the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),” says Dr Mkhize.

While the Internet has many advantages it also comes with dangers, especially for children who could be exposed to or groomed for child pornography, another form of gender-based violence. 

Child pornography is a form of child sexual exploitation. It occurs when a person or company uses a child to make pornographic material for a reward or money.

Government launches Safe Space for Men and a community care centre for vulnerable children in North West. 

Men and boys from Letlhakeng La Ga Sedumedi village in Tlokweng in the North West can now play a more active role in contributing towards national efforts to combat the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).