Publisher

Government departments tabled their 2022/23 financial year budgets in mid-May. Vuk’uzenzele shares some highlights.

Higher education, science and innovation

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced a budget of R130.1 billion to be distributed between six programmes, namely administration, planning, policy and strategy, university education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), skills development and community education and training.

The first 1 000 days – from conception to the age of two – are the most important to ensure a child’s best growth and development.

Midwives – trained health professionals who help pregnant women and assist during labour, delivery and after the baby’s birth – are available at public hospitals to assist expectant mothers.

“As midwives, we do regular check-ups, such as urine, blood pressure and infection tests,” says Miriam Javan, a midwife at Kraaifontein Hospital in the Western Cape.

Close to 90% of the fires during South Africa’s winter months are caused by human negligence. This is according to Working on Fire spokesperson Ofentse Letswalo. 

Launched in 2003, Working on Fire is an Expanded Public Works Programme that is run by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Letswalo says the winter months have more fire incidents as people try to keep warm. Candles, open flames, braziers and dry winter grass increase the fire risk. 

In November 2020, the Constitutional Court extended the inclusion of domestic workers into the Compensation Fund and the new rules took effect in 2021. 

This means that domestic workers are now eligible for work-related injury, illness and death compensation.

“The Compensation Fund is there to assist workers if they are injured, contract a disease or die on duty. Domestic workers or their dependents can claim from the Compensation Fund,” says Compensation Fund Director for Communication and Stakeholder Management Hlonitshwa Mpaka. 

The South African Post Office (Sapo) will no longer pay beneficiaries of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R350 grant at its branches.

In a recent statement, the Post Office said this move will result in shorter queues at its branches.

“The new round of applications for the SRD grant has opened.  The application app now includes an option where beneficiaries can receive their grant from any Pick n Pay, Boxer, Shoprite, Checkers or USave merchant,” Sapo said.

The Department of Public Service and Administration has issued a circular to all national and provincial departments giving notice that job applicants are no longer required to submit certified copies of their educational qualifications and other relevant documents on their applications.

According to the department, applicants must submit a completed Z83 form, copies of supporting documents and a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Gregory Gans (26) is the reigning Ring Contact Fighting Arts International (RCFAI) Super Welterweight Low Kick World Champion.

Gans from Saldanha Bay was crowned champion after beating Karim Taquet from Belguim in a title fight in Cape Town recently. 

If you have a complaint against a financial services provider, such as a bank or an insurance company, and are battling to get it resolved, you can get free help from the Office of the Ombud for Financial Services Providers (FAIS Ombud).

The FAIS Ombud helps to resolve complaints between financial services providers and their customers.

The complaint must relate to a financial service. It will be considered if the financial services provider or someone who represents the company:

As children and teens now have access to technology and the internet, bullying is no longer limited to face-to-face taunting in schoolyards or on street corners.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), cyberbullying occurs when a person uses the internet, email, text messages, instant messaging, social media, online forums, chat rooms or other digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate another person.

The effects of cyberbullying can be devastating, leaving children feeling hurt, humiliated, angry, depressed and even suicidal.