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When Thulani  Sibisi, a former Two Oceans Marathon Champion, was diagnosed with Stage 3 prostate cancer back in 2012, he was shattered, but knew he had to make life-changing decisions to survive the life-threatening disease.

“It was very emotional and I did not want to believe it. As soon as they told me [about the diagnosis] and explained the stage that it was, I thought my days were numbered.

“All of a sudden, I had to carry a catheter that assisted me to urinate and had to sleep with it, it was very frustrating.”

Vegetable farmers in the Western Cape are set to reap great benefits thanks to a partnership between the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Potatoes South Africa (PSA).

A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and PSA will give a major boost to 30 businesses owned by farmers.

The collaboration will not only support potato farmers but other vegetable farmers in the province as well. 

Basadi E-Waste recycling company is driven by a woman who is determined to recycle electronics of Information Technology (IT) equipment. This innovative e-waste company is owned by Kgothatso Ndema (33) from Soshanguve, Gauteng. 

The company specialises in ensuring that all old computers, televisions, photocopy machines and fax machines are safely recycled, refurbished, remarketed and sold.

When a state-leased family farm lay fallow after its subsistence farmer patriarch passed on, the entrepreneurial spirit of his daughter-in-law kicked-in, and she worked hard to revive it.  

Today, the initiative is thriving, even earning accolades from the country’s head of state.

With major retailers rejecting their products, two Pretoria entrepreneurs took it upon themselves to open their own shop.

Today, the start-up retails over 500 products produced locally by inventors facing a similar challenge. 

The frustration of doors being shut on the faces of Rearabetswe Dire, 29, and Gontse Kgokolo, 34, led to the birth of Edenvinne Cosmetics.  

Items sold at the  shop include skin care, male grooming, hair care and personal care products. 

One of the most important features of an effective democracy is a free media. We should therefore be encouraged by the recent release of the latest World Press Freedom Index, in which South Africa significantly improved its ranking, moving up ten places from 35th in the world in 2022 to 25th this year.

As a response to the fast-changing communication environment, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) will fast-track the upskilling of its workforce and upgrade the Information and Communications Technology systems to meet new demands.

“We live in a rapidly changing world in which technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. During COVID-19, the GCIS embraced technological platforms to facilitate remote meetings, connectivity and communication,” Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said in Parliament recently.

Youth Month

The search for great-tasting artisan cheese and healthy, non-processed food is growing in South Africa and Mahlatse Mailula (32) is among local food manufacturers who are meeting the demand.

Artisan cheese is made primarily by hand, it includes the traditional methods of cheesemaking.

With the youth now facing new challenges, government interventions targeted at helping young people are making a difference in the lives of many.

With government support having helped to propel his farming venture, a Limpopo farmer is now using his knowledge to inspire young people to pursue successful careers in farming.

The desperation to secure a farm for his livestock led Frank Monaheng (66) to stumble on another treasure when he ended up being leased a 1060-hectare farm with black soil which is ideal for producing sunflowers.