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South Africans who run businesses in the fresh produce sector will be given an opportunity to showcase their products at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany next year.

This opportunity is made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). The department has called on businesses in the fresh produce sector to apply to participate at the Fruit Logistica in 2020.

With some 82 000 learners between the ages of 14 and 19 having fallen pregnant in 2017 alone, South Africa is pinning its hopes on a social and behaviour change campaign to curb early and unplanned teen pregnancies.

Known as the “Let’s Talk”, this campaign is implemented across 21 countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, which has one of the highest adolescent fertility rates in the world.

Sisters Lisa van der Merwe (56) and Claudine Shiels (60), who were allegedly sexually abused by relatives from 1974 to 1979, are taking their offenders to trial this month to seek justice for the crimes committed against them 40 years ago.

This has been made possible by the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, in 2018, which removed the time restriction of 20 years that was in place for prosecuting offenders.

It is important for pregnant women to receive antenatal care during their pregnancy.

This care is free at all public clinics. According to the National Department of Health, antenatal care is vital for ensuring that any potential risks during pregnancy can be prevented or identified. It allows for frequent monitoring of the unborn baby's movements and growth, and gives early detection and timely treatment of health problems.

All sexually active women and those over 25 must have a Pap smear done at least once every three years to screen for cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in South African women.

A Pap smear is a quick, painless test done by a doctor or gynaecologist to detect early changes in cells in the cervix – the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina – which could progress to cancer.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has a few tips to help people successfully grow fruit and vegetables in their backyards.

Getting started

Start small and add a few more plants every planting season. Remember that gardens need water and sunlight.

Siphamandla Manqele (28) aims to see her company, Local Village Foods, connecting African countries through food. 

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) acting civil diver Makhosazana Sengo is holding her own in a male-dominated world.

She is trailblazing a path for other women to follow, while staring down gender stereotyping and ocean predators at the same time.

While some might take up boxing because of their passion for the sport or the adrenaline rush it gives, Matshidiso ‘Scorpion Queen’ Mok

Women's Month

While netball and women’s soccer have received much attention in recent months, other sportswomen competing in codes such as rugby still fight gender stereotypes.

University of Pretoria student Kemisetso Baloyi (21) is a rising star in the world of rugby, representing the South African Students Rugby Women’s Sevens Team.

The team recently returned from the World University Games in Italy, where they finished in fourth place behind some strong competition.