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We must act now and together to end violence against women

It has been a tragic start to Women’s Month.

We are once more confronted with the dark and ugly side of our society.

Last month, a group of men and women shooting a music video at a disused mine near Krugersdorp were attacked by armed assailants who gang raped eight of the women.

These horrible acts of brutality are an affront to the right of women and girls to live and work in freedom and safety.

Community organisations help women break free of abuse

After years of fearing for her life, a Free State woman escaped her abusive partner – thanks to the support she received from a community organisation.

“He was verbally abusive and said he would kill me,” Dieketseng Manyokho recalls.

The 32-year-old mother from Thaba 'Nchu is one of many South African women who have endured gender-based violence (GBV) at the hands of the men they love.

Forest beneficiation key to combating climate change

Trees, more especially forests play a significant role in climate change as both of these are inexplicably linked together. Research by the Nature Climate Change found that the world’s forests provide a “carbon sink” that absorbs 7.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. These trees are able to absorb carbon dioxide when standing or regrowing and thus help reduce greenhouse gases. However, when the trees are cut down or deforestation happens, all of this carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

Trees are our treasure!

Historically, South Africa did not have a culture of tree planting, and it was in the 1970s that a real need to promote tree planting was recognised. The concept of National Arbor Day ensued from the 1973 Green Heritage Campaign.

To date, the campaign has graduated to Arbor Month, which is a national campaign initi-ated to celebrate South Africa’s trees and to raise awareness about their importance.

How can you help to protect our indigenous forests? 

Multi-million waste fleet to wrestle municipal litter

Through its waste management fleet handover campaign, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) has literally taken the fight against litter to the road. The Department has used R42.4 million of its own budget to provide 22 vehicles to 19 municipalities that are battling unsightly litter across the country.

The vehicles include skip loader trucks, front end loaders, compactor trucks and other trucks required to transport waste within the municipal area.

Popular influencer follows her dreams

She developed her brand on social media and now relies on it for her livelihood.

This is Mbali Sebapu, who is among the young women who are known as influencers and have profited from the development of brand marketing by amassing a sizable fan base on their social media platforms and luring major brands to collaborate with them.

Sebapu (32) spoke with Vuk’uzenzele about her experiences using social networks to make money in order to inspire other young women who use them.

Emelita Nyalungu rides the radio airwaves

Bushbuckridge Community Radio in Mpumalanga has given Emelita Nyalungu (33) a chance at a better life.

Nyalungu, who is a news reader and current affairs presenter, started at the station as an intern and gradually worked her way up to her current position.

“I was informed by a security guard who used to work at the gate about the audition at the station. I passed the audition. Even though I did not know radio, I had a golden voice and the drive to help me stand out among others,” she said.

How Legal Ombud fights for your rights

Independent body seeks to address injustices within the legal profession so that all citizens are treated ethically 

Should you be a victim of corrupt lawyers or experience any other form of legal malpractice, you can lodge a complaint with South Africa’s Legal Services Ombudsman.

In 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Justice Sirajudien Desai as the Legal Services Ombud in terms of Section 47 of the Legal Practice Act No. 28 of 2014.

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