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A free press is among the most significant dividends of our democracy, yet it is one that we perhaps take the most for granted.

In South Africa barely 45 years ago, the very practice of journalism was seen as a threat to the stability of the state.

In reflecting on how things have changed since the advent of democracy the real-time barometer on global press freedom published by Reporters without Borders (RSF) is instructive.

The South African Breweries (SAB) has injected a multimillion rand investment that will create over 25 000 job opportunities and rekindle the hopes of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) residents.

The SAB’s R825 million expansion project at its Prospecton Brewery in the South Durban Basin is set to expand the SAB’s operations after setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 2021 unrest and looting and the devastating floods in April and May this year.

Although the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will close for applications for funding on 31 January for the 2023 academic year, the scheme advises applicants to apply now and not wait until the last minute. 

NSFAS offers financial aid to learners who wish to study or are already studying at a public university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college and come from a family with an income of R350 000 or less.

Bongumenzi Mvelase is on the right path to realise his childhood dream of becoming a top advocate after receiving funding assistance. The 22-year-old third-year law student from the North-West University (NWU) is a beneficiary of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

If you have just completed your matric and have little prospect of furthering your studies or you do not know what to do next, maybe acquiring a skill through the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is for you.

Mthokozisi Zwane (32) is the owner of Zamantimande Mix Farming, a grain, livestock and crop farm that produces potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, dry beans and maize, and raises free-range chickens, cattle and goats.

Zwane’s business is based in Mkhondo, Mpumalanaga.

He says agriculture can help fight poverty and address food security. “Many families within the black society often don’t know where their next meal will come from.”

He added that he grew up in a household where his grandfather was growing their food and learnt about farming.

Fikiswa Fuxwana is one of the local people who can now provide for her family thanks to the construction of the Msikaba Bridge which forms part of the South African National Roads Agency’s N2 Wild Coast project.

“I started working here in 2020 as a general worker, I got promoted as a site clerk, my job includes making sure that plants have fuel”, said Fuxwana.

She added that before the construction of the bridge she struggled with employment opportunities.

To win the battle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), everyone should be aware of the National Strategic Plan on gender-based violence and femicide (NSP on GBVF) and the issues it attempts to address. 

This is according to End GBVF Collective Communications Coordinator Candice Ludick, who spoke to Vuk’uzenzele at the end of the Second Presidential Summit on GBVF held recently.

The responsibility to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) lies with men, not women. 

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently addressed the second Presidential Summit on GBVF at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng under the theme: “Accountability, Acceleration and Amplification, NOW!”

The first summit was held in 2018. This year, the summit assessed progress made in fulfilling the commitments made at the first summit in implementing the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.